The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF) has partnered with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) to provide mentorship, technical training and practical industry experience to 1,000 exceptionally gifted but indigent Nigerian students pursuing technology-related degrees in tertiary institutions across the country.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to bridge the gap between academic education and industry requirements by equipping beneficiaries of the Foundation’s technology scholarship initiative with practical skills to prepare them for careers in the digital economy.
The scholarship scheme, first announced by Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, is designed to support students studying Computer Science and other technology-related disciplines in federal and state universities, as well as polytechnics.
The programme will select 1,000 beneficiaries from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, irrespective of ethnic background, in line with Ekeh’s philosophy of “one family, one tech-empowered person”.
Under the initiative, beneficiaries will receive financial support, technology training and skills development from their first year through graduation. Each student will also be assigned a dedicated mentor to provide guidance throughout their academic journey.
Through the MoU, the NCS will deploy experienced and certified technology professionals to provide technical support and practical learning opportunities, complementing classroom instruction with real-world experience.
Speaking on the programme, Director of LSEF, Dr. George Emetuche, said the initiative would feature boot camps every semester to expose scholars to practical technology applications and learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
He explained that the objective was not merely to help beneficiaries obtain university degrees but to develop competent technology professionals capable of applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems.
At the signing ceremony, NCS President, Professor Muhammed Siraju Aliyu, described Ekeh as a nationalist whose interventions have continued to create opportunities for Nigerians who might otherwise lack access to education and technology development.
Aliyu noted that Ekeh’s relationship with the NCS predated the scholarship initiative and had contributed to efforts to advance technology and human capital development in Nigeria.
He also highlighted Ekeh’s technology innovation programmes, which identify young people with promising ideas, support them in developing their concepts and provide opportunities to pitch their innovations to potential investors.
The NCS president expressed appreciation for Ekeh’s contributions to the Society and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to initiatives that promote national development.
Representing Zinox Group, its Executive Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Chioma Nwoke, assured the Foundation and the NCS of the Group’s continued support for the programme across successive cohorts.
Beyond providing access to tertiary education, the partnership is expected to strengthen the pipeline of home-grown technology talent by combining financial assistance with structured mentorship, technical capacity building and practical industry exposure.
The initiative also underscores the importance of collaboration between the private sector, professional bodies and philanthropic organisations in developing the skilled workforce needed to support Nigeria’s digital economy.