No fewer than 92 persons have benefited from the 2017/2018 Postgraduate Scholarship programme of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
The Head, Corporate Affairs, and External Relations Unit of the agency, Mrs. Hadiza Umar said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
According to Umar, the scholarship programme is part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s human capital development agenda for citizens to contribute to national development.
“NITDA has awarded 92 scholarships in the 2017/2018 session for Masters and Doctorate degrees in relevant areas of ICT and ICT Law.
“This is in the efforts of the agency at assessing and addressing ICT skills requirements to support President Buhari’s sustainable economic growth and development strides.”
“The scholarship scheme was expanded to cover diverse areas including Masters in ICT Law through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the agency.”
Umar said that a total of 5,504 candidates applied out of which 2,188 sat for the computer-based aptitude test.
She said that the final selection was based on academic merit, exceptional character traits that would enable them to maintain the highest level of values and be worthy ambassadors of the country.
She disclosed that each scholar studying abroad received an average package of over N17 million per annum comprising tuition fees, personal allowance to cover accommodation, living expenses and other allowances.
She said that in-country scholars received an average of over N3 million, while about N752 million was spent annually on the scheme.
Umar said that since the inception of the scheme to date, the agency has successfully sponsored 341 Nigerian Graduates in various ICT fields at universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia.
According to her, for the selection, two scholars are picked from each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Masters Level and one scholar in each geo-political zone of the country at Doctorate degree Level.
“The scholarship scheme is highly competitive and candidates are selected based on academic excellence and leadership qualities after going through a fair rigorous process.
“Beneficiaries of the scheme are fully employed, while others have set up viable IT businesses that are providing employment opportunities contributing to the country’s economy,’’ she said.
The scholarship scheme which was established in 2010 is aimed at bridging the digital gap through human capital development with emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based economy.
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