The MTN Foundation has restated its determination to sustain the scholarship scheme for students in tertiary institutions in the country.
The Foundation which attributed its inability to bring on board new intakes into the scheme in 2016 to the economic situation in the country and the financial challenges faced by its parent company, MTN Nigeria, said it remains fully committed to the continuation of the scheme in view of benefits to beneficiaries and the nation.
Since 2009/2010 when the MTN Foundation started the scheme, a total of 8,451 students in tertiary institutions across the country have received scholarship ranging from N200, 000 per session.
Restating the commitment of MTN Foundation to the scholarship scheme during an interaction with newsmen in Lagos on Friday, Mr. Abasi-Ekong Udobang, Portfolio Manager, Education, disclosed that out of the 8,451 beneficiaries of the scheme since inception, 7,717 scholarships went to students studying Science and Technology courses in universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education while 734 scholarships were given to blind students in tertiary institutions across the country.
His words: “The MTN Foundation is fully committed to the scholarship scheme for students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria which began in 2009/2010. Though we could not bring on board new intakes into the scheme last year due largely to the economic condition of the country and the financial challenges faced by our parent company, MTN Nigeria, during the year under review, we are in no way contemplating stopping the scholarship scheme.
“The MTN Foundation is funded 100 percent through 1 percent Profit After Tax (PAT) of MTN Nigeria. So, any year MTN Nigeria does not make profit, it will affect the ability of the foundation to bring on board new intakes.
This does not in any way affect those already on the scheme as they continue to enjoy the scholarship as long as they meet the required standard, especially the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)”.
According to Udobang, the MTN Foundation will continue to sustain the scholarship scheme in view of benefits it has brought to the educational advancement of the beneficiaries in particular and the country in general.
He disclosed that the MTN Foundation will hold an Alumni and Empowerment workshop for graduates who have so far benefited from the scholarship scheme.
The workshop, Udobang said, will hold in Owerri, the Imo State capital, today, Wednesday, February 22 and Thursday, February 23, 2017; in Abuja on March 1-2, 2017 and in Lagos on March 7 and 8, 2017.
The workshop, he added, is aimed at bringing together graduates who have benefited from the MTN Foundation scholarship scheme and expose them on relevant skills needed to excel in the future endeavors.
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