A group of 72 Nigerian scholars awarded Hungarian postgraduate and undergraduate scholarships, set off from Nigeria for Hungary today 22nd September, 2023.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, made the announcement during a pre-departure ceremony held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Addressing the scholarship recipients, Sununu urged them to represent their country well and become agents of positive change upon their return.
He stressed the importance of maintaining an attitude of continuous learning, adaptability, and openness to new knowledge as they embark on this phase of their life journeys.
Sununu said, “Scholarships are a recognition of excellence and a way to support brilliant Nigerians who lack the means to finance their education abroad.”
He encouraged them to acquire valuable skills during their time in Hungary that would not only benefit their personal development but also contribute to the progress of Nigeria and the global community.
The Minister said, “Acquire the necessary skills available in your host country, essential for national development. Embrace new challenges, harness the power of knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change, and utilize the abundant resources available to you.”
“This opportunity allows you to shape your future and contribute to a better world,” he added.
Sununu also highlighted the Nigerian Government’s efforts to bolster scholarship schemes by investing more in national and international programs, emphasizing the importance of the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) with various development partners to meet the nation’s manpower needs.
He noted that despite the prevailing global economic challenges, the number of development partners offering scholarships to Nigerians has increased.
These partners include Hungary, China, Algeria, Romania, Morocco, Serbia, Mexico, Egypt, as well as non-regular partners like Macedonia, Poland, South Korea, Greece, Japan, Tunisia, and Turkey.
Sununu concluded by expressing Nigeria’s appreciation to Hungary for its contributions in training Nigerian youth and helping Nigeria fulfill its developmental aspirations.
The Director of the Federal Scholarship Board, Astra Ndajiwo, disclosed that out of 150 applications received during the opening of the scholarship scheme to Hungary in 2022, 72 candidates successfully cleared the rigorous screening process.
She also confirmed that the scholars had received allowances for September to December to facilitate their journey to Hungary, with subsequent allowances scheduled to commence from January 2024.