Renowned entrepreneur, technologist, and philanthropist, Mr. Tim Akano, has been honoured with two Distinguished Alumnus Awards by Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Baptist Day School, Oluponna, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, mentorship, technology, innovation, and community development.
Both honours, conferred in November 2025, mark a significant milestone in Mr. Akano’s lifelong commitment to human capital development and social impact.
Mr. Akano, a 1983 graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, was recognised 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 valued at ₦60 million to OAU students to study Artificial Intelligence. Since then, he has consistently adopted five students annually from the Department of International Relations under a structured mentorship initiative.
In the same vein, Baptist Day School, Oluponna, bestowed on Mr. Akano a historic honour as the first alumnus ever to receive a Distinguished Alumnus Award since the school was established in the 1930s.
During a recent visit to the school, Mr. Akano inspected several infrastructural projects financed 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. The fence has effectively eliminated incessant disturbances previously caused by Fulani herdsmen, whose reckless grazing within the school premises polluted the environment and exposed pupils to serious security risks.
The school principal recounted a tragic incident that occurred before the fence was erected, when a nine-year-old pupil was kidnapped within the school premises and was never found. According to the principal, the child 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.
The principal further disclosed that the school has experienced a geometric increase in enrolment following Mr. Akano’s intervention. In 2025 alone, over 30 new pupils were enrolled—a trend that has remained 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 overgrown vegetation could expose the fragile pupils to snake bites. The Foundation also announced the adoption of 10 best graduating pupils, committing to sponsor their secondary school education.
In addition, to motivate and support teachers, the Foundation introduced a monthly cash incentive for all teachers to complement modest government salaries. The November incentive was paid immediately, with assurances that the initiative would continue in perpetuity.
In a deeply symbolic and emotional moment, Mr. Akano presented the pupils with a glazed copy of his Primary School Leaving Certificate, issued by Baptist Day School in 1975. The 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.
Similarly, at Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr. Akano was honoured 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 Mr. Tim Akano’s enduring legacy as a bridge between education, opportunity, and societal transformation.
