MTN Foundation has awarded scholarships valued at over N2.5 billion to Nigerian students from 2013 to date.
Following the completion of its award ceremony in Enugu and Abuja, MTN Foundation hosted the final ceremony in Lagos, awarding over 1,000 students with scholarships and grants. The newly awarded scholars will each enjoy a scholarship grant worth N300,000 annually till graduation as long as they maintain the required Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). The scholarship covers tuition, book allowance and stipends. The Scholarship is an annual programme under the Foundation’s Youth Development portfolio, that recognises and rewards high-performing students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses, and Blind students in Nigerian public tertiary institutions. The Top 10 scoring candidates of the Unified Matriculation Examination (UTME) also benefit from this programme.
Speaking at the event, the Registrar of the University of Ibadan, Mr Ganiyu Oke Saliu, applauded the Foundation for its efforts in the education sector. He said: “MTN’s commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth is commendable. The Foundation’s scholarship program has positively impacted numerous students at the University of Ibadan, and we’re grateful for their support. Their reach extends beyond tertiary institutions to secondary schools, including my alma mater in Ikare, Ondo State, where they’ve generously donated essential infrastructure such as seats, lockers and laboratories. I congratulate today’s scholars and thank MTN for their unwavering dedication to Nigeria’s future.”
Expressing his support, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, emphasised the importance of the private sector’s commitment to nation-building and the Lagos State government’s dedication to quality education, adding that, “In Lagos State, we have the ‘THEMES PLUS’ agenda, which represents an intensified focus in Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration. The acronym stands for Transportation and Traffic Management; Health and Environment; Education and Technology Making Lagos State a 21st Century Megacity; Entertainment and Tourism; and Security and Governance.
“We added the ‘PLUS’ to incorporate Social Inclusion, Gender Equality, and Youth Empowerment. Everything we are doing here today is part of our agenda in Lagos State. I appreciate the directors of the MTN Foundation for their efforts. My presence here today is a testament to our administration’s recognition of MTN’s contributions. I congratulate the scholars here today and thank MTN for being a partner in progress.”
In his remarks, the director of the MTN Foundation, Dennis Okoro, reflected on the foundation’s impactful journey over the years, while affirming that, “For 20 years, MTN has been committed to fostering the well-being of the communities we operate in. As a testament to our dedication to corporate social responsibility, MTN is the only corporate organization in Nigeria that has an autonomous board heading its foundation and consistently drives the foundation’s initiatives with one per cent of its annual after-tax profits. Our commitment to these deserving scholars goes beyond financial support, as we also encourage them to acquire professional certifications and acquire valuable skills during the duration of their scholarship.”
The scholarships were officially presented to the recipients during the award ceremony in Lagos. Increasing the impact of this year’s award ceremony was the commitment of Women at Y’ello (W@Y), to sponsor the education of 12 scholars who are in their final year. Women at Y’ello (W@Y) is an initiative that unites all female employees of MTN Nigeria, fostering a supportive community and empowering women across the organisation.
