48 Nigerians bag Chevening scholarship — highest ever

In what is a record breaking admission year since 1984, 48 Nigerian graduates have been awarded individual Chevening scholarships for their masters’ degree by the UK government.

For the 2015/2016 session, the UK government tripled the Chevening scholarship funding to accommodate many more Nigerians.

Ray Kyles, the deputy  British high commissioner to Nigeria, who hosted the scholars at his residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, urged them to make the best use of the opportunity given to them as the highest number of scholars from Nigeria.

He added that “the UK government is spending over N300m on the education” of this scholars.

Some of the scholars who spoke to TheCable expressed their gratitude to the UK government for the opportunity to broaden their horizons and acquire skill-set that can help in promoting Nigeria in the years to come.

Abisola Otesile, one of the scholars who graduated with a first class from the University of Ibadan’s department of mechanical engineering, applauded the scheme which she described as “helping aspiring Nigerians become better”.

“I think it has been a wonderful experience, and totally unbiased. The British government have been super supportive all the way,” she said.

Marcel Mbene, a scholar admitted to Newcastle University to study offshore engineering, also expressed gratitude.

Oluwadamilola Omoniyi who spoke on behalf of the fresh scholars appreciated the UK government for the opportunity and promised that the scholars would do their best to be blossoming ambassadors of Nigeria.

The scholarship which started as foreign and commonwealth office (FCO) scholarship in 1984, has produced more than 1,000 scholars from Nigerian, dotting various fields of study.

A few Chevening alumni include, John Momoh, Channels’ television founder/CEO, Sanusi Lamido, former governor of the central bank and emir of Kano, Simon Kolawole, founder/CEO of Cable Newspaper Ltd, publishers of TheCable.

Application is on for the 2016/2017 academic year, and must be submitted online between August 3 and November 3, 2015 at www.chevening.org.