The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, has stated that the Ebonyi State Government is sponsoring more than 500 students on fully funded Master’s and PhD programmes in universities across Nigeria, in addition to the 300 beneficiaries currently studying in the United Kingdom.
According to a Facebook post and video shared by Leo Ekene Oketa, the scholarship initiative reflects Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s commitment to human capital development through sustained investment in education.
The governor’s aide noted that while public attention has largely focused on the over 300 Ebonyians studying in the UK under the state’s fully funded postgraduate scholarship programme, many more beneficiaries are pursuing advanced degrees in Nigerian universities under the same initiative.
“Beyond the 300 Ebonyians on fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships in the United Kingdom, over 500 others are enjoying the same opportunity in universities across Nigeria.
“That is the hallmark of visionary leadership—investing not just in today’s needs, but in tomorrow’s possibilities. Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is building a future by empowering the people who will shape it.”
The scholarship programme is part of the Ebonyi State Government’s broader agenda to develop highly skilled professionals who will contribute to the state’s long-term growth in education, healthcare, engineering, agriculture, science, technology, and other critical sectors.
The administration has consistently described education as one of its strategic priorities, with investments aimed at equipping Ebonyi indigenes with the knowledge and expertise required for sustainable development.
The revelation that over 500 additional students are benefiting from fully funded postgraduate scholarships within Nigeria further expands the scale of the state’s educational investment and underscores the government’s focus on building a knowledgeable workforce for the future. Recall that Governor Nwifuru’s administration has previously sent over 500 Ebonyi indigenous students for postgraduate studies with this year being the third rounds, a project that aligns with his people’s charter of need initiatives.
The Facebook post was accompanied by a video highlighting the scholarship beneficiaries and reiterating the administration’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for qualified Ebonyians.