Adekunle Gold Surprises First Class and Distinction with N250k Each

N Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Adekunle Gold set the internet abuzz this week after he gifted ?250,000 each to a number of First Class and Distinction graduates across the country in a spontaneous gesture of encouragement and recognition.

The surprise giveaway began on Wednesday, July 16, when the singer—whose real name is Adekunle Kosoko—posted a cryptic message on X (formerly Twitter):

“If you graduated with First Class, post your transcripts.”

The tweet quickly went viral, with dozens of high-achieving graduates flooding his mentions with screenshots of their academic transcripts and degree results. Without any initial explanation, the post sparked curiosity among his followers, who speculated whether a scholarship or endorsement opportunity was on the horizon.

Several hours later, Adekunle Gold followed up with another tweet:

“Check your DM, you might have been picked.”

That was when the surprises began to unfold. Recipients started sharing screenshots of ?250,000 credit alerts from the music star, expressing shock and gratitude for the unexpected gift. For many, the financial support came at a crucial time.

One female beneficiary shared her experience, noting that she had just ?1,700 in her bank account before receiving the money. “I’m still in disbelief,” she wrote. “I didn’t expect anything. I just wanted to be seen.”

At least eleven people have confirmed receiving ?250,000 each. Among them was a Distinction graduate who initially missed out on the reward because her direct messages were locked. After she appealed publicly in the comments section, the singer noticed and promptly sent her the funds as well.

The gesture sparked widespread praise, with many users hailing Adekunle Gold for appreciating academic excellence in a time when celebrity culture rarely intersects with education.

“He’s setting an example,” tweeted @unilagfirstclass, another beneficiary. “We always see artists celebrate fashion or dance trends, but it’s refreshing to see a top act like AG Baby recognizing academic brilliance.”

However, the goodwill was not without controversy.

In the midst of his giveaways, Adekunle Gold threw subtle shade at his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), with a tweet that read:

“If you’re from OAU, don’t bother posting.”

The dig was instantly understood by many fans who recalled the singer’s long-standing criticism of the university. In past interviews, Adekunle Gold had spoken about the delays he faced during his time at OAU, where he earned a degree in Arts and Industrial Design. He alleged that administrative bottlenecks had cost him time and nearly derailed his career.

While some OAU alumni defended the university and called the statement unfair, others sympathized with the singer’s grievances, sharing their own struggles with delayed transcripts, missing grades, and graduation postponements at the institution.

Despite the side drama, the overall sentiment on social media remained largely positive. Fans and followers across the country applauded Adekunle Gold’s generosity and his innovative way of celebrating academic excellence.

By Thursday morning, the hashtag #AGBaby had begun trending on X, with hundreds of users reposting his tweets, congratulating the beneficiaries, and jokingly trying their luck with playful transcripts and memes.

In response to the buzz, Adekunle Gold tweeted:

“I just wanted to bless a few people doing great academically. Nothing more.”

The artist, known for hit songs like "Something Different," "High," and "Ogaranya," has previously hinted at his passion for supporting youth initiatives. However, this is one of his first known public gestures directly rewarding academic achievements.