Education

19 Nigerian Students Win $2.17m U.S Scholarships

Published

5 years ago

December 4, 2020

No fewer than 19 high achieving, low-income students from southern Nigeria have received full scholarships totaling $2.17million to attend American universities and colleges for the 2020/2021 academic session.

This was made possible through the Opportunity Funds Programme of the United States Consulate General in Lagos, with support from Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited.
During a reception held in Lagos in honour of the U.S. bound students, Friday, the United States Consul-General, Claire Pierangelo, congratulated each of them on their successes, and urged them to make the most of their opportunity to get a top-notch education while gaining first-hand experience of American life and culture.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is pleased that our two major Education USA centres in Lagos and Abuja help brilliant, deserving and high achieving students defray the cost of applying to study in the U.S. You have successfully navigated the daunting U.S. college and university admissions process and we are so excited for your future.”
“During your time in the United States, please take full advantage of every opportunity you have not only to learn but to expand your horizon. You have excelled in Nigeria and I have no doubt that you will continue on that path of academic excellence in the United States,” Pierangelo told the departing students.
One of the Opportunity Fund Scholars, Izunna Okpala, received full funding for a Ph.D. programme in Information Technology with concentration in Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing at the University of Cincinnati.
He described the Education USA Opportunity Funds Programme as a “game changer” in his quest to receive an international education.
The 19 students — 2 undergraduates and 17 graduate students —will be studying a variety of majors including Infectious Diseases, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Climate Change and Climate Variability, Geology, and Political Science.
Their impressive list of acceptances includes University of Massachusetts Boston, Purdue University, Duke University and Northwestern University.
Now in its 11th year, the Opportunity Funds Programme assists talented and determined, low-income students who are good candidates for financial assistance from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.
Following a competitive selection process, the successful students received financial aid that covered expenses involved in the college application process such as payment for standardized tests, application fees, visa and SEVIS fees as well as air travel to the United States.
Education USA advisers also worked closely with the students through regularly scheduled meetings and seminars to assist them throughout the application process.
According to the latest Institute of International Education Open Doors Report, Nigeria retained its top ranking as the number one source of African students studying in the United States.
About 13,762 Nigerians study at more than 1,000 U.S. colleges and universities.

Education

UNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.

The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.

The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.

According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.

The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.

Education

Education Commissioner Seeks media collaboration in Rivers

Published

3 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro

Education

“FPOG Bonny Deepens Learning With Hands-On Expedition to NLNG Nature Park”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

Academic expeditions and excursions take learning beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on engagement with history, science, and nature. For the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, such outings are a strategic tool for bridging theory with practice.

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology led students on an academic excursion to the NLNG Nature Park in Bonny. The team was led by the Head of Unit, Elizabeth Jumbo, alongside Ikor Peter, Usman Thaha, and Elekwachi Progress. The trip was designed to connect classroom instruction with real-life experiences.

According to the department, the excursion sought to deepen learning by linking theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world exposure. The exercise also aimed to enhance student engagement and retention while promoting social-emotional skills such as collaboration and empathy. It further catered to diverse learning styles among the students.

Academic excursions offer clear benefits. Abstract concepts become concrete when students encounter them firsthand. A history lesson comes alive in a museum, while scientific principles are better understood in natural settings. Such interactive experiences are often more memorable than text-based learning alone.

The outings also build critical soft skills. Trips foster self-confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience. They broaden cultural awareness and perspective by exposing students to new environments and ideas. For many, the experience sparks curiosity, promotes empathy, and can even influence future career paths.

At its core, the goal is to make learning personal, relevant, and interactive. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny says it is committed to providing a compass to academic excellence through active learning, consistent organization, and holistic student well-being. The SLT excursion reflects that approach in action.