7-Year-Old Artist Kendis Receives ₦2.5 Million and Full University Scholarship

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In a heartfelt recognition of young talent, seven-year-old artist Kendis has been awarded ₦2.5 million in cash and a full scholarship covering his education through university by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

The honor came after the widespread attention generated by Kendis’s portrait of the senator. The artwork, created with guidance from his father, went viral after being shared on TikTok via the account @noahs_ark.ng, based in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Kendis was invited as a special guest to Senator Adeola’s Scholarship and Bursary Award Ceremony, where he presented the original portrait. He was warmly received by the senator and his wife, Temitope Adeola, before the cash gift and scholarship were announced amid applause from attendees.

Senator Adeola, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ogun State, described the gesture as a recognition of the boy’s exceptional creativity and a way to motivate him to keep pursuing his dreams. In a statement, he noted that the family was “deeply inspired by the exceptional talent of seven-year-old Kendis, whose portrait of us went viral on social media.” The full scholarship covers his education from current level through university.

The portrait’s emotional backstory added to its impact. In a video accompanying the artwork, Kendis explained that he was inspired by his father’s frequent reassurances during tough times. When meals lacked extras like egg with rice or sugar and groundnut with garri, his father would say there was no money and that “things will get better soon.”

Kendis said he eventually asked when “soon” or “tomorrow” would arrive. Tired of waiting for a better future that seemed endlessly delayed, he decided: “Instead of waiting for tomorrow to come, let us paint tomorrow today… Through the eye of a little child, we painted our future now. We painted joy, we painted hope… Tomorrow is now. Our future is now.”

The story has resonated widely, with many viewing the senator’s response as meaningful support for emerging artistic talent at a young age. The scholarship and cash award offer both immediate financial relief and long-term educational security for Kendis, enabling him to continue developing his skills without the obstacles his family has faced.