Samuel Badekale, the University of Lagos graduate who was widely celebrated for completing a Bachelor of Science in Cell Biology and Genetics with a perfect CGPA of 5.00, has been awarded the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?s in Bio-membranes scholarship.

PUNCH Online learnt that the 2023/2024 Overall Best Graduating Student and Best in Sciences was the only Nigerian and West African recipient of the highly competitive award.

The European Union-funded programme will see Badekale study across three of Europe?s leading universities over the next two years: Universit? C?te d?Azur in France, University of Genoa in Italy, and University of Osnabr?ck in Germany.

The curriculum spans cutting-edge fields including Membrane Biology, Neuroscience, and Experimental Medicine.

Announcing the news on Friday on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Badekale wrote, ?2025 has been amazing in every way!

?Pleased to announce the next step in my journey: selected as the only Nigerian and West African for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?s in Biomembranes, studying across three world-class universities in France, Italy and Germany.

?As I look back, I see a young boy from Mushin, with a big dream: to explore the world and make a positive impact on the world.

?And today, by God?s faithfulness, that dream is gradually becoming a reality.

?Truly, ?with God, every dream is achievable, even those that seem impossible.??

He further urged young people to embrace education as a tool for global opportunities.

?To my younger self and every student out there: Trust God.

?Hold your education tightly. Come out with the best grades possible, strive for excellence, because education is still one of the most powerful keys to move from your local community to the global stage.

?Education isn?t a scam. It?s a weapon. Use it.

?Learn more about the programme on its LinkedIn page,? Badekale concluded.

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master?s Plus programme is designed to equip scholars with interdisciplinary expertise, preparing them for careers as practitioners, researchers, or decision-makers in biomedical and related fields. (Sunday PUNCH)

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