Tim Akano Receives Two Distinguished Alumni Awards From OAU, And Baptist Day School Oloponna

By Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West, Nigeria

Renowned entrepreneur, technologist, and philanthropist, Tim Akano, has been honoured with two Distinguished Alumnus Awards by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife and Baptist Day School, Oluponna,  in Oyo State, south west in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, mentorship, technology, innovation, and community development at large, Cyber Era NG learns.

We gather that both awards were conferred in November 2025, and this marks a significant milestone in Mr. Akano’s lifelong commitment to human capital development and social impact.

Akano, a 1983 graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, was recognized by the university for his global impact in entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, as well as his sustained mentorship of students. In 2023, he awarded 1,000 scholarships that were worth ₦60 million to OAU students for them to study Artificial Intelligence(AI). Since then, he has consistently adopted five students from the Department of International Relations annually under his structured mentorship initiative.

In the same vein, at Baptist Day School, Oluponna, Akano received a historic honour as the first alumnus ever to be decorated with a Distinguished Alumnus Award since the school was established in the 1930s. During a recent visit to the school, Akano inspected several infrastructural projects financed by him through the Tim Akano Foundation three years ago. These include: the construction of a borehole, modern toilet facilities for teachers and pupils, and the erection of a perimeter fence and gate around the school which has prevented incessant disturbance of pupils by Fulani Herdsmen, who previously engaged in reckless grazing within the school premises, polluted the environment with cow waste, and exposed the children to security risk. All these challenges have since become a thing of the past following the erection of the perimeter fence.

In addition, the School Principal recounted a tragic incident that occurred before the fence was built, when a nine-year-old pupil was kidnapped within the school premises and was never found. According to the Principal, the pupil had gone into a nearby bush to answer the call of nature, unaware that kidnappers were hiding there. Since the completion of the fence three years ago, no case of pupil kidnapping has been recorded in the school.

The principal further disclosed that the school has experienced a geometric increase in enrolment since Akano’s intervention. In 2025 alone, over 30 new pupils were enrolled, a trend that has been consistent over the past three years.

To further enhance safety and learning conditions, the Tim Akano Foundation pledged to provide a grass-cutting machine to maintain the expansive school compound, noting that the pupils were fragile and overgrown vegetation could expose them to snake bites. The Foundation also announced the adoption of 10 best graduating pupils, committing to sponsor their secondary school education.

Furthermore, in a move to motivate and support teachers, the Foundation introduced a monthly cash incentive for all teachers, aimed at complementing the modest government salaries. The November incentive was paid immediately, with assurances that the initiative would continue in perpetuity.

In a symbolic and emotional moment,  Akano presented the pupils with the glazed copy of his Primary School Leaving Certificate, issued by Baptist Day School in 1975. All pupils were invited to hold the certificate as a powerful reminder that “if I can do it, you can do even more.” In appreciation, the school management presented him with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, celebrating his transformative impact on the institution and its pupils.

Similarly, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Akano was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his sustained mentorship of students and his contributions to entrepreneurship development, technology, and innovation within Nigeria and the global community.

The double recognition underscores Akano’s enduring legacy as a bridge between education, opportunity, and societal transformation.