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MTN gives 129 students including blind students scholarship in South East
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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has solicited the partnership of communication giant MTN for the full realisation of its Smart School project/initiative.
The state’s request came just as MTN Foundation on Wednesday gave about 129 students including blind ones scholarship in the South East region at the 2025 Scholarship Award Ceremony and Alumni Induction of the MTN Foundation, held at De Dome Event Centre, Enugu.
Governor Peter Mbah, who with some of his Commissioners made the request, expressed the happiness of the state over MTN’s
contributions in the economic and social life of the people.
Mbah, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Prof Sam Ugwu, said, “Enugu State is upbeat in our education sector with the Green Smart Schools that have taken off in September this year. The philosophy behind the Green Smart School is to expose our children to cutting-edge experiential learning that will equip them to compete in the global setting. The government assumed office in 2023 has emphasized the importance of education. Consequently, the budgetary allocation to education is top of the list with 33%.
“We have launched Enugu State Education Transformation Plan (EETP) with a clear goal to move from a system of rote learning to one of experiential learning, innovation and productivity. We are building a seamless pipeline of human capital from the over 260 Smart Green Schools through technical and vocational training institutions.”
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Noting that the state shares the same philosophy as MTN in seeking education as a catalyst for national development, Mbah said, “As you continue with your corporate social responsibilities, the government encourages your organisation to intervene in other critical areas which affect the lives of the people. We are disposed to collaborate with you as you serve our people better.”
The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Lawrence Eze, and Commissioner for Education, Prof Ndubueze Mbah, who also corroborated the governor, urged MTN to partner the state for the Smart School.
Earlier, the General Manager, MTN Foundation, Calima Inino, in his welcome address described the ceremony as a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the boundless potential of Nigeria’s youth.
Addressing the students, he said, “You’re not here by chance; you’re here not only for your academic performance, but because you have demonstrated excellence in your character, resilience, and ambition. Whether you’re joining us as a Science & Technology scholar, one of the top ten UTME scorers in the country, or as part of our trailblazing group of blind scholars, know this: your journey matters.
“As you begin, I urge you to carry on with pride and purpose. With the Foundation, you’ll access world-class learning tools through the MTN Skills Academy and our ecosystem partners: platforms designed to sharpen your digital skills, leadership potential, and career readiness. As the pidgin saying goes, ‘book must work’, and we’re here to help make it work for you.
“This scholarship initiative was built on the belief that every student has the capacity to soar, and since its inception, it has supported over 5,000 scholars and awarded nearly 15,000 scholarships. Each name on that list is a story of potential unlocked. We’re not stopping here, because we remain committed to expanding this reach, deepening our support, and driving inclusive development across Nigeria; one student at a time.”
