Leo Stan Ekeh foundation opens portal for 1,000 tech scholarships - ITREALMS Online

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The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation is set to activate its landmark scholarship portal on Monday, April 27, 2026, reports ITREALMS. 

The initiative, a coordinated national framework supported by TD Africa, Konga Group, Zinox Technologies, and Task Systems, will provide 1,000 indigent but exceptional "whiz-kids" with full university scholarships to study Computer Science in federal institutions.

Leo Stan Ekeh @70: Zinox Group to invest ₦10B on 1,000 tech scholarships for indigent Nigeria wiz-kids by Eunice Omokaro - ITREALMS

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Africa's foremost tech icon and Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, who turns 70 on February 22, this year, has explained why he is not celebrating his 70th birthday with a mega party, preferring to offer University scholarships to additional 1000 Nigerian indigent wiz-kids to study Computer Science in Federal Universities so that the country’s private and public sectors could have a new generation of tech wiz-kids to support the growth of the economy.

He anticipates that these students who will not be bonded, shall disrupt global wealth equation in favour of Nigeria and defend our tech independence. Selection shall be based on a minimum Intelligent Quotient and age nationwide, and they shall be schooled and exposed beyond tech to become global Tech Citizens.

Alternative Bank, Utiva partner on scholarships to boost digital skills for women - ITREALMS

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The Alternative Bank (‘AltBank’) has announced the launch of The Alternative Bank-Utiva Women in Tech Scholarship, a landmark initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs with digital skills, innovation design, and business growth training. 

The announcement was made during a high-level virtual convening held on Friday to commemorate the International Day for Rural Women.

Airtel Africa Foundation presents Nigerian students with tech scholarships to Plaksha University, India - ITREALMS

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In a bold step towards advancing access to education and youth empowerment in Nigeria and the rest of the continent, the Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has announced that two Nigerian students, Terence Ifeanyichukwu and Ali Usman Mohammed, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Airtel Africa Fellowship.

These scholars will pursue undergraduate studies in technology, including Artificial Intelligence, at Plaksha University in Mohali, India, an institution known for reimagining engineering education for the 21st century.

Chevening Scholarships portal opens for UK studies - ITREALMS

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Applications for Chevening Scholarships to study in the United Kingdom (UK) is opened until November 7, 2023, reports ITREALMS.

The applications, ITREALMS gathered, are to be submitted via the online application form at chevening.org/apply.

NLNG awards 10 overseas post-graduate scholarships in 2022 - ITREALMS

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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) today in Port Harcourt awarded post-graduate scholarships to ten (10) Nigerians to pursue Masters degrees at universities in the United Kingdom.

The scholarships were awarded at the 2022 NLNG Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme (PGSS) Award Ceremony by Mr. Andy Odeh, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, on behalf of the Company.

New Horizons offers scholarships @eBusiness Life Career Fair’19 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The outcome of the maiden edition of ICT Career Fair by eBusiness Life Communication Limited in Lagos, has seen the award of three scholarships to students by the premier IT training institute, New Horizons Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

Founder and CEO of New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano disclosed this in his speech at the event, noting that the best gift the adults can give youths of nowadays is an opportunity to get empowered in technology, as that is the global future.

Akano, who encouraged participants to be inquisitive and develop the knack to search out answers using technology tools, also charged them to seek to create and add value to humanity.

According to him, the teenage age is the most creative age because it is the age where concentration is not divided, but have adequate time to create and think out solutions. “You are living in a technology kingdom. The technology of the future will merge everything in a world of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence.”

The New Horizons boss, who during the presentation, asked the students varied questions, used the opportunity to award scholarships to students. The beneficiaries of the scholarship are Femi Odunubi, an SS3 Student from Kuramo College, a public school in Lagos; Opeoluwa Ogunfeitimi, SS2 Student from Peaklane International College; and Timehin Atsagbede, SS1 student from The Lagoon School.

The students are allowed to choose a course of training at any of the New Horizons study centes.

Mr. Akano also offered all the participating school that are interested in entering into a partnership with New Horizons, a special arrangement that will ensure that their students are trained to give them an edge above their peers to prepare them for a future that is technology-driven. While pointing out that the new world is a world of a shared economy, he to the students to prepare to compete with other countries like China and Japan that have advanced in technological feats.

According to him: “You are going to live in a multi-cultural world where the only thing that matters is what you can create with your mind.”

Also speaking at the event, the convener and CEO of eBusiness Life Communication Limited, Mrs. Ufuoma Emuophedaro encouraged the students to consider a career in ICT due to the global nature of the profession, creating opportunities in every facet of the economy and in every part of the world.

Pointing out further needs for the young students to expand their knowledge and skill in ICT, Mrs, Emuophedaro explained: “Even beyond careers, it is increasingly critical to encourage young people today to take STEM programmes and develop the kind of business, entrepreneurial and complex problem-solving skills that are required in today’s world. By becoming fluent in Information and Communication Technology, young people will learn to use the essential tools of the 21st century for whatever career they choose as science and technology are pervasive across occupations and critical to Nigeria’s growth, innovation and the knowledge-based economy.”

The Career Fair is one of eBusiness Life’s avenues of sensitizing and educating Nigerian youths on the need for self-development, which will lead to a greater need to contribute their quota in developing the country and impacting the world using ICT as a bargaining chip for global competitiveness. This year’s event was themed, “ICT Career: Laying The Blocks For The Future”.

e-Business Life Communication Limited is the publisher of e-Business Life Magazine, a monthly Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Magazine.

The company also run an online news portal for faster and wider-reaching dissemination of information and product/services advisory medium. It further organizes annual youth-centred events such as the International Girls in ICT Day and the International Girls Day events. In addition, the media organization is poised to encourage and help the Nigerian youths, especially the girl child, to have a better understanding and get interested in modern technologies, so that they could easily deploy these technologies to develop their communities and subsequently the society at large.

New Horizons Computer Learning Centre has grown to become the largest independent IT training company worldwide Since 1982, offering more courses, at more times and in more locations than any other computer and business training organization. Businesses and individuals can choose from hundreds of course offerings, delivered by experts, and offered in hundreds of convenient locations around the world. New Horizons Nigeria is an affiliate of New Horizons USA.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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2017-18: NITDA awards 92 postgraduate scholarships

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has awarded a total of 92 postgraduate scholarships for the year 2017-2018, reports ITRealms.

The awards, ITRealms gathered, comprises Masters and Doctorate degrees in relevant areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and ICT Law.

Also, ITRealms gathered that the scholarship scheme was established in 2010 with the aim of bridging the digital divide through human capital development with emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based economy. Two scholars are selected per state, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Masters Level and one scholar per Geo-Political Zone of the country at Doctorate Level.

                                                           

A press statement made available to ITRealms, quoted the Director Human Resource and Administration Department of NITDA, Dr Mohammed Idris Yelwa, as saying the scholarship scheme is highly competitive and candidates are selected based on academic excellence and leadership qualities.

“Applicants go through rigorous and transparent selection process; holders of Bachelor’s degree with First Class or Second Class (Upper) Honours in any IT related field are eligible to apply for the MSc scholarships while only lecturers in any of the Higher Institutions of Learning in the country with MSc in any IT related field are eligible to apply. After application, shortlisted candidates sit for a computer-based aptitude test and two candidates with the highest scores from each of the 36 states and the FCT final interview for the MSc while only one candidate per geopolitical zone is invited for the PhD scholarship,” Yelwa explained.

Through the Agency’s efforts at assessing and addressing ICT skills requirements to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s sustainable economic growth and development strides through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), this year, the scheme was expanded to cover diverse areas including LLM ICT Law.

“This academic year, a total of 5,504 candidates applied out of which 2,188 sat for the computer-based aptitude test. The final interview is designed to assess candidates’ academic merit and exceptional character traits that will enable them maintain highest level ethical values, discipline, dedication to studies and be worthy ambassadors of the country - an innovative extension of the selection process introduced by the Director General to enhance the scheme’s credibility,” he said.

Dr Yelwa further revealed that each scholar studying abroad receives an average package of 17.5 million naira per annum comprising tuition fees, personal allowance to cover accommodation, living expenses and other allowances while in-country scholars receive an average of 3.5 million naira and about 752.5 million naira is spent annually on the scheme.

From inception of the scheme to date, the Agency has successfully sponsored 341 Nigerian Graduates in various ICT fields at Masters Level and 42 for Doctorate Level at Universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. A number of beneficiaries of the Scheme are now in full employment while others have set up viable IT business ventures that are providing employment opportunities as well as developing globally competitive products and services, thereby making valuable contribution to the Nigerian economy.

“We are encouraged by President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to sustainable human capital development for economic recovery and growth as well as the exemplary leadership of Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami in ensuring that scheme is sustained and entitlements of NITDEF scholars are paid regularly, despite the challenges of recession” he said.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is an Agency of the Federal Government. The Agency was created in April 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy and coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a & k) of the Act mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria; and determine critical areas in information technology requiring research intervention and facilitate research and development in those areas.

Uboshe Uboshe with Doris Minimah/GEE

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Daria Media unveils media training, scholarships

ITREALMS:

The Daria Media has unveiled  two unique initiatives targeted at revolutionizing youthful participation in the journalism practice in Nigeria, as the firm dangles scholarships calls, reports ITRealms.

The company, which is promoted by Kadaria Ahmed, former BBC journalist, editor of 234next and host of the Channels TV talk show, Straight Talk and The Core, will be holding a 3-city journalism training for aspiring journalists. The 3 cities are Kano, where she went to school; Uyo, where she served out her National Youth Service and Lagos where she works and calls home.

The training will pay especial attention to the worrisome fake news phenomena and unwholesome PR gimmicks which have dogged the journalism practice in recent times. It will underscore the urgent need to rejuvenate the mass media towards practicing independent, competent, ethical and socially responsible journalism more than ever before especially for those reporting in/on Nigeria. It will also provide participants with a handle on how to build commercially viable and sustainable media outfits as a means of circumventing issues of ethics, professionalism and partisanship.

According to a statement from Daria Media, “The Daria Workshop Series is a training platform for budding journalists; helping them to connect to the reality of journalism practice, clear out illusions and identify their unique niche and place in the continued existence of their field of endeavour. The program will be delivered by trainers from Beyond Broadcasting, Premium Times and Daria Media.”

Facilitators will include former BBC journalist Ben Williams now with Beyond Broadcasting, a company that trains staff at Aljazeera, the BBC and many other media houses around the globe; Dapo Olorunyomi, founder of Premium Times and Kadaria Ahmed.

At the end of the training, 3 lucky female participants will become the recipients of the inaugural Mamman Marshall Scholarship for Women in Journalism. The scholarship is named after Kadaria Ahmed’s father who is described as a forward-thinking man well ahead of his times.

Continuing the statement, Daria Media added that “The Mamman Marshal Scholarship for Women in Journalism is instituted to celebrate a man, who against the grain of his time educated his daughters; giving them an advantage that sets them apart from their peers. This scholarship award, set up by one of his daughters who has risen to become a reference point, a positive image and an example against a backdrop of impossibilities and impediments in the field of Journalism; is to honour her father and his extraordinary legacy.”

To participate in the training and become eligible to earn a full undergraduate scholarship at the three participating schools; Bayero University Kano, Lagos State Univeristy and the University of Uyo,  interested students can apply by visiting http://daria.media/training-programs/application-form/.

Entries open Monday November 6 and close Monday November 20, 2017. 

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104 Nigerian youths receive NNPC-SNEPCo scholarships

ITREALMS:

A second set of 104 pupils from six geo-political zones in Nigeria have been awarded full-board six-year secondary school scholarships by the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), reports ITRealms.

This, ITRealms gathered is the third set of the NNPC/SNEPCo National Cradle-to-Career (NC2C) programme designed to give top quality education to bright but indigent youths. 

The latest awards bring to 267 the total sponsorship since the  NNPC/SNEPCo NC2C was introduced three years ago, according to sources at NNPC. 

The latest beneficiaries have joined the other recipients who are enrolled in six leading private schools – Lead Forte Gate College, Lagos; Premiere Academy, Abuja; Nigerian Tulip International College, Kaduna; St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Lagos; Top Faith International Secondary School, Akwa Ibom State; and Grundtvig International Secondary School, Anambra State.

During the award ceremony held at Lead Fort Gate College, Lekki in Lagos, the State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule commended SNEPCo for the success of the NC2C which she said had achieved its purpose by helping to bridge educational inequalities resulting from socio-economic differences. 

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, the deputy governor added, “SNEPCo has kept faith with the commitment of supporting indigent Nigerian youths to attend some of the best secondary schools in the country and helping to reduce the number of school dropout before completion of basic education.”

The Managing Director of SNEPCo, Mr. Bayo Ojulari, who was represented at the award ceremony by the General Manager Exploration, Mr. Dayo Adewuyi, said the educational initiative contributes towards the actualisation of the UNESCO ‘Education for All’ goal. He said: “We also do this because, to us in SNEPCo, education is key to national development. In the three years of the programme, we are already seeing signs of success. Last year, for instance, one of the scholars was awarded a scholarship by the implementing school because of her exceptional academic performance. So, I expect that this set will settle for no less.”

The award recipients emerged through a competitive process starting with an aptitude test which was open to graduating pupils in public primary schools in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. They then underwent a two-week orientation programme with introductory courses in academics, character and psychology to prepare them for a seamless integration into their new learning environment.

The NC2C scholarships are just one of the many programmes in SNEPCo’s social investment portfolio in Nigeria. Other programmes include the equipping and donation of information technology and communication centres in many primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and hosting of health outreaches in different parts of the country. SNEPCo had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU) for the construction of a multi-million naira eLibrary for the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, and the company signed another MoU last week for the construction of a centre of excellence in Geoscience at the University of Lagos.

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Pix; A cross-section of 2017 NNPC/SNEPCo scholars at the NNPC/SNEPCo National Cradle-to-Career scholarship award ceremony in Lagos.

AUN awards 67 scholarships to Nigerian students

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The American University of Nigeria (AUN) has offered 67 scholarships to new students only for the 2016/2017 academic session, reports ITRealms.

A press statement endorsed by the Executive Director, Communications and Public Relations at AUN, Mr. Daniel Okereke, made available to ITRealms, the scholarships were in 3 categories.

These, he said, include the National Scholarship for the overall top scorer (1 scholarship), Regional Scholarships for the top 5 scorers in each region (30 scholarships), and State Scholarships for the top scorer in each state (36) scholarships. 

He explained that apart from the national scholarship that covered ALL costs of attendance, each scholarship in a category covered 50% of tuition. A candidate could win in up to two categories (50% state and 50% regional) if they were one of the top 5 highest scorers in their region and also the highest scorer in their state for a combined win of 100% coverage on tuition.

A total of 45 students won 64 of the scholarships, while two state scholarships were not awarded because 2 states did not feature a contestant.

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