Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, have commended the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu, for disbursing ₦250 million in bursaries and scholarships to students from his constituency.
The education support programme, now in its second year, forms part of Ngwu’s Enugu West Academy initiative designed to provide academic and financial support to students across the district.
Beneficiaries of the scheme included candidates who participated in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as well as postgraduate students.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio, who also announced a ₦100 million donation to the Enugu West Academy, described the initiative as a remarkable investment in human capital development.
“What Osita has done is an uncommon project. When you give a child a good education, he or she can go anywhere in the world,” Akpabio said.
He added that Ngwu had distinguished himself in the Senate, noting that his performance earned him appointment as one of the principal officers of the National Assembly.
Governor Mbah, represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, said the scholarship programme complements the state government’s ongoing reforms in the education sector.
He noted that the Enugu State government has continued to invest in educational infrastructure, including the establishment of smart schools across the state.
Chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, represented by Ugo Chime, also commended Ngwu for the initiative, describing it as a genuine effort to give back to society.
He urged other well-meaning individuals to emulate the gesture by investing in education and community development.
Addressing the gathering, Ngwu said the academy was established after he discovered that many brilliant secondary school students were unable to pursue their academic ambitions due to limited opportunities and lack of mentorship.
“Today, we gather not merely to celebrate scholarships or distribute bursaries; we gather to reaffirm a vision that the future of Enugu West Senatorial District will be defined not by limitations but by knowledge; not by circumstance but by opportunity; and not by chance but by deliberate investment in our young people,” he said.
He stressed that human capital development remains the most important investment any leader can make, noting that education is a critical pillar for societal growth.
Ngwu disclosed that through the academy, more than 2,600 students benefited from UTME preparation classes and registration support in 2025 across the five local government areas in Enugu West.
According to him, the academy currently has over 4,000 students enrolled across 19 physical learning centres and online platforms.
He also recalled that during the maiden edition of the programme in 2024, ₦81 million was awarded to 18 outstanding students studying in universities across the country.
Ngwu urged beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity by striving for academic excellence and contributing positively to national development.
In a keynote address titled “Leaving No One Behind: The Role of Scholarships in Closing the Gap,” the Registrar of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, C.N. Nnebedum, said lack of funding remains one of the biggest barriers preventing talented students from achieving their full potential.
She commended the senator for demonstrating that leadership extends beyond holding public office to making a meaningful impact in society.
Gideon Arinze in Enugu
