...204 scholars complete Master’s degrees as 92 new beneficiaries depart for the UK
From Boniface Nwankwo
In a decisive move that is steadily redefining governance through strategic human capital investment, the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has placed education at the very heart of its development agenda, positioning it not merely as a social service but as a lasting legacy.
From the outset of his tenure, Governor Nwifuru made his intentions unmistakably clear. Declaring a state of emergency in the education sector, he pledged to rebuild public institutions to a standard that would earn the confidence of every Ebonyi family, including his own.
That declaration, bold and symbolic, has since translated into one of the most ambitious education interventions in the state’s history.
Anchored on the philosophy that sustainable development is impossible without skilled manpower, the Governor approved the deployment of 204 Ebonyi indigenes to prestigious universities in the United Kingdom and other foreign countries on January 18, 2025, for postgraduate studies. The selection process was rigorous, transparent, and merit-driven, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates benefited from the programme.
The scholars were enrolled in globally competitive and future-facing disciplines, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Computer Programming, Software Development, Data Analysis, Cyber Security, and other critical fields vital to modern governance and economic growth. From inception, the programme was designed not as a short-term gesture but as a comprehensive pipeline, supporting beneficiaries through Master’s, PhD, and professional doctoral programmes.
Barely a year after the first deployment, the impact of the initiative has become evident. The entire first batch of 204 scholars has successfully completed their Master’s degrees and is now awaiting onboarding into their respective PhD programmes, marking a major milestone in the state’s quest to build a knowledge-driven workforce.
Building on this success, Governor Nwifuru, on Monday, February 2, 2026, approved the deployment of a second batch of 92 scholars to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies. This development brings the total number of Ebonyi overseas scholars to 296, with an additional four beneficiaries expected to depart by September 2026, raising the figure to 300.
The overseas scholarship scheme operates alongside a robust local education intervention, under which over 700 Ebonyi indigenes are currently studying in Nigerian universities, further underscoring the administration’s comprehensive approach to education development.
Notably, the scholarship programme is fully funded, covering tuition, accommodation, and living allowances. This structure enables beneficiaries to focus entirely on academic excellence without the burden of financial constraints. Upon completion of their studies, scholars are required to return to Ebonyi State and deploy their expertise across critical sectors of the economy.
The initiative forms a central pillar of the People’s Charter of Needs, Governor Nwifuru’s governing blueprint, which prioritises education, human capacity development, economic diversification, and global relevance. With a growing pool of internationally trained professionals, Ebonyi State is poised to emerge as a competitive hub for innovation, technology, healthcare, and skilled manpower.
As these scholars return home in the coming years, the long-term dividends of the programme are expected to reshape the state’s development trajectory, elevate institutional capacity, and strengthen governance outcomes. In investing in minds rather than monuments, the Nwifuru administration is laying foundations that will outlive political cycles.
Indeed, the once-rejected stone is fast becoming the cornerstone.
Dr. Boniface Nwankwo is the
Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Documentation.
