By Gbayesola Samuel 

Caleb P. Owolabi, a 500-level student of the Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ibadan, has been selected as one of 25 Nigerian recipients of the 2026 edition of the Diana Award.

Owolabi received the award in recognition of his contributions to educational access, youth empowerment and social impact through his work as the founder of CHAMP Tutorials.

Selected alongside 197 other awardees from 44 countries worldwide, Owolabi has, over the past five years, led CHAMP Tutorials in its mission to make quality examination preparation more accessible to young Nigerians, particularly students preparing for university entrance examinations.

According to him, the organisation, which started with three staff members and 13 students in 2021, has grown to employ over 70 staff members and serve more than 1,000 paying students annually. The organisation has also recorded over 2,900 admissions into more than 23 Nigerian institutions.

Among its notable achievements, CHAMP Tutorials has produced over 350 students who scored above 300 in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). It has also produced top-performing candidates in several examinations, including one of the country’s highest scorers in 2025, who recorded 371 out of 400 in the UTME.

Prior to receiving the Diana Award, Owolabi was named among Edufest Africa’s Top 20 Exceptional Educators of the Year in recognition of his work through CHAMP Tutorials.

Speaking with IndyPress, Owolabi described the award as a reminder of the impact of his work and the sacrifices involved in achieving it.

“Receiving The Diana Award 2026 is a deeply humbling experience. Beyond the honour and recognition, it is a reminder that the work we do in CHAMP, the lives we touch, and the sacrifices we make in service of others truly matter,” he said.

He also dedicated the award to his staff, both past and present for their support in making the achievement possible.

The Diana Award is an international award established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, which recognises young people for their social action and humanitarian work.