MTN Nigeria Foundation has awarded scholarships to 380 Nigerian students, including visually impaired individuals, from various tertiary institutions across the country. These scholarships, part of the 2024 MTN Scholarship Awards, come with additional benefits such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and coding and digital skills training for the recipients.
During the scholarship award ceremony held in Enugu for beneficiaries from the South-East and South-South regions, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Dennis Okoro, emphasized MTN’s longstanding commitment to education, health, arts, and youth empowerment. He noted that for over 13 years, the MTN scholarship scheme has promoted academic excellence and resilience among Nigerian students.
Okoro encouraged the recipients to remain dedicated to their studies in order to maintain their scholarships. He explained that the scholarships are awarded on merit, and renewal requires students to uphold the same academic performance each year. He highlighted that the Foundation doesn’t merely offer scholarships but also equips students with digital and marketing skills to enhance their future employability.
He added, “MTN is a brand that upholds high standards, and the scholarship reflects this. Students should take pride in earning it and stay focused on their academic journey.”
Okoro also advised the graduating students to be cautious as they transition into society, reminding them to place their ultimate trust in God.
The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, represented by Mrs. Ngozi Enih, the Commissioner for Children, Gender, and Social Development, thanked MTN for its inclusive approach to the scholarships, which support students with disabilities. He emphasized that this aligns with the state’s vision to boost digital literacy among youths.
In his goodwill message, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Polycarp Chigbu, commended MTN’s efforts in raising the standard of education in Nigeria. Represented by Prof. Johnson Urama, he urged the beneficiaries to continue working hard and excelling in their studies.
Dr. Ifeoma Nnaji, Deputy Director of the Centre for Disabilities and Special Needs at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, expressed gratitude to MTN for including 13 visually impaired students from the institution in the scholarship program. She praised MTN’s support for students living with disabilities.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Chimaobi Chukwuegbo from the Department of Electrical-Electronics at UNN, appreciated MTN for the financial assistance, noting that it would help him cover the costs of textbooks and research materials for the academic year. The event concluded with the presentation of scholarship certificates and the disbursement of N300,000 to each recipient.
