MTN Scholarships, under the Youth Development Cause, is an annual award that seeks to recognize and reward qualified high performing students in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions:
MTN Science and Technology Scholarship, currently in its 12th year, is open to eligible 300 level students studying Science & Technology-related courses, in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education).
300 successful students are awarded scholarships worth N200,000.00 annually till graduation if they maintain the required grades.
MTN Scholarship for Blind Students in its 10th year is targeted at qualified 200 level blind students studying any course in Nigerian Public Tertiary Institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education). 60 successful blind students are awarded scholarships worth N200,000.00 annually till graduation if they maintain the required grades.
Top 10 UTME Scholarship which commenced in 2020, is the latest addition to the MTN Scholarships. Every year the top 10 scoring candidates of UTME as announced by JAMB, automatically qualify for the top 10 UTME scholarships. The successful candidates are awarded scholarships worth N200,000.00 from their 100 level through to graduation if they maintain the required grades. The Top 10 UTME Scholarship is awarded irrespective of the successful candidates’ preferred course of study or Tertiary Institution – Public or Private in Nigeria.
It is worthy of note that the MTN Foundation has awarded over N3Billion in scholarships to 4,212 students from inception to date. Upon graduation, each scholar takes part in the MTNF Skill Up Training to ensure they are well equipped to compete and add value to Nigeria’s labour market. They are also exposed to other opportunities for training and certification such as PMI (Project Management Institute). As members of the Alumni chat group, they are also provided with information regarding job opportunities and other information of importance to their careers.
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A breakdown of the beneficiary students shows that 300 were from science and technology, 60 are visually impaired and 10 students of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Some of the students received cash awards of N200,000. Recipients under both scholarships are carefully selected from Public Universities, Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and blind students in any discipline under the MTNF Scholarship for Blind Students (SBS) across Nigeria.
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In her remarks at the event, the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya revealed that the MTN scholarship programme was an annual scholarship award that identifies, recognizes and rewards high-grade students in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“It is made up of the MTN Science and Technology Scholarship Scheme and the MTN Scheme for Blind Students. Upon completion of a university degree, graduate scholars are equipped with the skills required to build a thriving career through the Skill Up workshop”, she explained.
She congratulated the beneficiaries and assured them that the foundation will be rooting for them as they navigate new terrain, adding; “MTN has faith that you will do great things”.
She added: “It’s this same faith and belief in the brilliance of our students that spur us to invest in their education mindful of its critical role in our nation’s development. MTN Foundation Scholarships serve as launch pads for some of our brightest minds, to attain great heights,” she said. The scholarships are in furtherance of the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth and encourage academic excellence in public tertiary institutions across the country”.
She admonished the scholars and the alumni to leverage on the opportunities the event provides to write their own success stories. She challenged them to take their victory at the selection process as a signatory of yet a renewed vigour to stand out and be different when they get to the labour market. She said the new beneficiaries would be equipped with the right skills to be outstanding in the labour market. “As MTN we believe in you. It’s your life, it’s your fact. You have all it takes to be the most valuable person,” Sanya said.
Also speaking, the Chief ICT Officer at Project Management Institute, Nigeria, Patricia Eromosele said the panel discussion where some alumni testified to the benefits of the MTN Foundation’s interventions has impacted their chosen careers has opened her eyes to the opportunities to be harnessed in the visually impaired and disabled people in Nigeria.
A visually impaired lawyer and writer, Dr Michael Abiodun challenged the beneficiaries, especially the blind among them, to overcome every limitation and always strive to achieve their goals in life. He told them to always be optimistic. He told them that an “it cannot be done” mentality leads to resignation to living less than one ought.
He said attitudes like “it can be done” and “how can it be done” will open new vistas of possibilities to the special student. “I challenge you to rethink your supposed limitations so that you can make the most of what you have. So, like Emerson also opined, “don’t be pushed by your problems, be led by your dreams”, he said.
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For details of new and existing beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme in the Science & Technology Scholarship, MTN Foundation Scholarship for Blind Students, and Top 10 UTME Scholars categories, click the link below