EDUCATION: At least 200 Nigerians will benefit from the 2022 European Union (EU) scholarship programme. The scholarship is awarded to students to study in top European universities, under the flagship programme, Erasmus.
BASIC FACTS
- The EU flagship scholarship programme, Erasmus has been administered since 2004.
- The 2022 EU scholarship is a significant increase from previous years.
- Nigeria comes 2nd in the number of scholarship for the current year, behind Pakistan.
WHAT WE KNOW
The Head of the EU in Nigeria, Samuela Isopi told journalists that over 200 Nigerians will benefit from EU postgraduate scholarships.
The scholarship is for studies in top European universities and it is under the flagship programme, Erasmus.
Samuela Isopi is the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and also to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
In her address to reporters in Abuja, she said that this year’s award shows a significant increase in the number of scholarships awarded to Nigeria. Samuela noted that Nigeria is second behind Pakistan in the number recipients.
The EU head also noted that this is a significant increase from 44 in 2019. Isopi said from the ninth position in 2020 and the sixth position in 2021, Nigeria currently has the second highest number of beneficiaries, globally, second only to Pakistan.
The EU head further stated that the EU would like to do more in increasing the Number awarded to Nigerians.
She described Nigerian students as extremely good in academics.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Speaking to Journalists in Abuja, Samuela Isopi said, “So, we think this is something that is extremely important. This is a study programme that we have run from one to two years and this is a Master’s study programme.
“As you can easily understand, this is something which is extremely important. This year, Nigeria is the second country in terms of number of scholarships awarded, just after Pakistan.”
“And I think what we have to do is not to congratulate ourselves but congratulate Nigeria and to congratulate young Nigerians because the selection process is purely based on merit and it is performed at the central level. This means Nigeria was able to present very good candidates that could be selected for this important programme,”
“We know that we can do more. But still, we are very happy with what we have achieved so far and what we have managed to achieve this year,”
CATCH-UP
Over 700 Nigerians have benefited from the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme since 2004. However, there is hardly any record of how these resources are harnessed for the development of the country.
NEWS ANALYSIS
Nigerians are indeed intelligent and gifted in many areas. The country has what it takes to unleash her development.
However, the missing link is leadership. Nigeria needs a leadership that can create a conducive environment for these scholars to come back home after their studies and contribute to nation building and development.
If security and infrastructure is missing, there is hardly a level of patriotism that can stem brain drain. Even those who come back will end up in frustration as the right environment is not created for them to strive.
The result is that Nigeria continues to lose her best brains to other countries with better productive environment, resources and working conditions that allows them to strive.
