The
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has awarded a total
of 92 postgraduate scholarships for the year 2017-2018, reports ITRealms.
The
awards, ITRealms gathered, comprises Masters and Doctorate degrees in relevant
areas of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and ICT Law.
Also, ITRealms gathered that the scholarship scheme was established in 2010 with the
aim of bridging the digital divide through human capital development with
emphasis on creating and supporting a knowledge-based economy. Two scholars are
selected per state, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Masters
Level and one scholar per Geo-Political Zone of the country at Doctorate Level.
A press statement made available to ITRealms, quoted the Director Human Resource and Administration
Department of NITDA, Dr Mohammed Idris Yelwa, as saying the scholarship scheme is highly competitive and candidates
are selected based on academic excellence and leadership qualities.
“Applicants
go through rigorous and transparent selection process; holders of Bachelor’s
degree with First Class or Second Class (Upper) Honours in any IT related field
are eligible to apply for the MSc scholarships while only lecturers in any of
the Higher Institutions of Learning in the country with MSc in any IT related
field are eligible to apply. After application, shortlisted candidates sit for
a computer-based aptitude test and two candidates with the highest scores from
each of the 36 states and the FCT final interview for the MSc while only one
candidate per geopolitical zone is invited for the PhD scholarship,” Yelwa
explained.
Through
the Agency’s efforts at assessing and addressing ICT skills requirements to support
President Muhammadu Buhari’s sustainable economic growth and development strides
through the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), this year, the scheme was
expanded to cover diverse areas including LLM ICT Law.
“This
academic year, a total of 5,504 candidates applied out of which 2,188 sat for
the computer-based aptitude test. The final interview is designed to assess candidates’
academic merit and exceptional character traits that will enable them maintain
highest level ethical values, discipline, dedication to studies and be worthy
ambassadors of the country - an innovative extension of the selection process
introduced by the Director General to enhance the scheme’s credibility,” he
said.
Dr
Yelwa further revealed that each scholar studying abroad receives an average package
of 17.5 million naira per annum comprising tuition fees, personal allowance to
cover accommodation, living expenses and other allowances while in-country scholars
receive an average of 3.5 million naira and about 752.5 million naira is spent
annually on the scheme.
From
inception of the scheme to date, the Agency has successfully sponsored 341
Nigerian Graduates in various ICT fields at Masters Level and 42 for Doctorate
Level at Universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Germany and Australia. A number
of beneficiaries of the Scheme are now in full employment while others have set
up viable IT business ventures that are providing employment opportunities as
well as developing globally competitive products and services, thereby making valuable
contribution to the Nigerian economy.
“We
are encouraged by President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to sustainable human
capital development for economic recovery and growth as well as the exemplary
leadership of Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami in ensuring that scheme is sustained
and entitlements of NITDEF scholars are paid regularly, despite the challenges
of recession” he said.
The
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is an Agency of the
Federal Government. The Agency was created in April 2001 to implement the
Nigerian Information Technology Policy and coordinate general IT development
and regulation in the country. Specifically, Section 6(a & k) of the Act
mandates NITDA to create a framework for the planning, research, development,
standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and
regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in
Nigeria; and determine critical
areas in information technology requiring research intervention and facilitate
research and development in those areas.
Uboshe Uboshe with Doris Minimah/GEE
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