MTN Foundation Awards Scholarships to 1,011 Nigerian Students
Emma Okonji
MTN Foundation through its annual scholarship initiative has awarded scholarships to 360 undergraduate Nigerian students in addition to 651 current scholars, totalling 1,011 scholars.
The awardees were celebrated at award ceremonies held in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja. Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Okogbule, Chairman, House Committee on Telecommunications, Honourable Peter Akpatason and other notable dignitaries were present at the different ceremonies.
The annual scholarships recognise and reward high-performing students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions. They are usually presented to three categories of students – undergraduates in science and technology-related courses; blind students in any field of study and the top 10 candidates of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Nigeria. Through this initiative, 4,590 Nigerian students have received scholarships valued at N 3 billion in the last 12 years.
Speaking at the Lagos event, the Chairman of MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, said: “This initiative was established with the belief that every individual – regardless of background or socio-economic status – deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams through education, which has a profound impact on shaping minds, fostering innovation and driving societal change.
“It is imperative to empower the next generation of trailblazers, problem solvers and African visionaries. This is why we support blind students, top 10 UTME candidates and top-performing STEM students by facilitating access to education and providing tools and resources to help them thrive academically and professionally.”
Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, in his speech delivered by Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, commended the Foundation for its commitment to contribution to the development of its host communities.
