Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has awarded scholarships to approximately 460 students in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, through his organization’s 2022 Dangote Scholarship Award Program.
Edwin Devakumar, executive director of Dangote Group, who announced the move on behalf of the billionaire businessman, said the scholarship program benefited 443 secondary schools and 17 tertiary institutions.
According to Devakumar, the recent move reflects the Nigerian billionaire’s belief that education is a passport to the future and that investing in students will pay off as they pursue their education and make a positive impact in the world.
“We have, therefore, committed to supporting education by instituting the scholarship award program. We also commenced the training of youths to achieve the City & Guilds certificate of London in electrical and mechanical engineering levels one, two, and three,” he said.
Dangote Group, which ranks as the continent’s most diversified manufacturing conglomerate, is a leading conglomlerate with interests in various sectors such as cement, sugar, flour, and salt. It is majority owned by Dangote.
In 2019, the group launched a pilot scholarship program, awarding 51 secondary school students from Ibeju Lekki’s 15 host communities. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program’s second edition did not take place in 2020.
Scholarships will be awarded to 118 secondary school students and 19 tertiary students from the host communities in 2021. This year, 443 secondary school students and 17 tertiary students were chosen to receive scholarships after a rigorous selection process.
Devakumar congratulated and recognized the scholarship recipients’ hard work and dedication, encouraging them to make the most of this opportunity.
He also thanked the school authority, the community development committee, and the social performance team for their support and commitment to the student’s academic and personal growth. He emphasized the value of education and urged the recipients to seize every opportunity to learn and grow.
