First Lady awards scholarships to 200 university students

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), founded by the President’s wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, announced 200 recipients of the AUDA-NEPAD/African School of Economics/RHI Scholarships.

The scholarship will allow 200 students from a variety of areas to begin their academic careers at the African School of Economics, an affiliate of Princeton University in the United States.

During the unveiling ceremony in the Banquet Hall of State House Abuja, the first lady emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to education through policies and programs.

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu has done so much in the education sector. The recent zero interest student’s loans scheme, bursary and scholarship awards to students and various education infrastructure development projects, are all geared towards providing unhindered access to education for every Nigerian student.

“Last year, the RHI under its National Scholarship Programme (RHI-NASP)gave scholarships to the tune of N1,000,000 per annum for four years and a brand new laptop to students in Nigerian tertiary institutions. This is to assist the students with tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses. The second tranche of payment for the beneficiaries is due in September, 2024,” she said.

She added that she had always highlighted the education and empowerment of Nigerian girl-child, who were culturally and traditionally more excluded than their male counterparts from acquiring comprehensive formal education.

This, she noted, has necessitated the establishment of Alternative High Schools for Girls throughout the country.

Also speaking, Education Minister, Prof Tahir Mamman who  corroborated Mrs Tinubu’s position described the first lady as an education champion.

Gloria Akobundu, Chief Executive of AUDA-NEPAD in Nigeria, stated that recipients will obtain high-quality education both locally and internationally.

Leena Pylvanainen, the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, emphasised her country’s readiness to explore more collaboration with the RHI in the area of education.