12 universities to benefit from 2016 Etisalat merit award

In furtherance of its commitment to youth development and the promotion of academic excellence, Etisalat Nigeria has listed 12 universities across the six geo-political zones of the country as beneficiaries of this year’s scholarship scheme, Etisalat Merit Award. The 2016 regional presentation ceremony holds in Ibadan, in November.

In addition to the institutions, hundreds of their students will receive grants, which have been increased by 100 per cent beginning from the current academic year.

The benefitting institutions are, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State; Akwa Ibom State University; University of Lagos; Federal University of Technology, Akure;University of Ibadan; Enugu State University of Science and Technology; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State; Benue State University; Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola,Adamawa State; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State; Bayero University, Kano and Usmanu Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.

Speaking on the 2016 award, Director, Regulatory & Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the scheme is a significant component of the education arm of the company’s tripodal corporate social responsibility, which also includes health and environment.

He added that the award of grants to schools and students demonstrates the telecom firm’s unwavering commitment to the development of Nigeria’s education sector and the promotion of excellence among the youth in the country.

In line with the passion for youth development, Ikeme said, “we are delighted to announce a 100 per cent increase in the grants to students from N100, 000 to N200, 000 beginning from the current year. Our objective is to ensure increased access of students to qualitative education as the grants will enable to buy needed books and research materials that will boost their capacity to do well in their studies.”

Ikeme added that in order to have a more inclusive scholarship scheme and in aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the company has expanded the scholarship scheme by adding another category that accommodates persons with challenges. “They are part of us and they need our love and care. This new category aims to identify and encourage physically challenged students that are performing well in their academics,” he stated.

Since it was launched eight years ago, the scheme has awarded over 1,400 scholarships to outstanding Nigerian undergraduates with the highest CGPA in courses such as, Electrical Electronics Engineering, Computer Science and Management Sciences.