The Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Gardens Estate, Dr Richard Nyong, has offered scholarships worth ₦320 million to 1,000 students of the University of Port Harcourt, as part of efforts to ensure a smooth education for the students.
The scholarship fund, initiated in 2021 after his 40th birthday, according to a statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday, is “One of Nigeria’s most extensive private scholarship efforts within a single tertiary institution.”
“About four years ago, Nyong pledged ₦320 million to the university, structured as an annual ₦80 million commitment for four years. It was ambitious at the time. Today, that ambition has grown into one of Nigeria’s most extensive private scholarship efforts within a single tertiary institution,” the statement added.
The fund, administered under the Lekki Gardens Foundation Scholarship, supports students selected based on academic merit and financial need, covering tuition and living expenses, while also funding academic research and contributing significantly to campus infrastructure.
“Beyond the ₦20 million fund that covers tuition, his foundation covers living expenses, supports academic research through a ₦20 million annual endowment, and contributes ₦40 million annually to the University Development Fund, upgrading labs, lecture halls, and other learning infrastructure,” the statement continued.
According to the statement, the impact of the scholarships is visible across UNIPORT’s campus, ensuring that students who were once at the brink of dropping out due to financial challenges can complete their degrees without anxiety.
In a letter addressed to Nyong, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Clifford Ofurum, hailed the scholarship as a lifeline that has brought new hope to hundreds of students.
“The tears of financial strain have been replaced by tears of joy. Many of these students had reached a point where they saw no way forward. But today, because of this scholarship, they walk our halls knowing someone believes in their dream. And sometimes, that’s all these young students need to keep striving for success”, Ofurum said.
The VC also noted that about 400 students were currently benefiting from the scholarship, and expressed appreciation for the foundation’s work in rehabilitating school facilities as well.
“We, on behalf of the University of Port Harcourt, and even the parents of these beneficiaries, we’re very grateful to the Lekki Garden Foundation, and especially Dr Richard Nyong, who has taken it upon himself and the Foundation to do this for our university.
“More than 400 students are benefiting from this university, and without those scholarships, these students would have dropped out of school.
“The Foundation has not only done scholarships for us, they have also been able to rehabilitate some hostels and some other facilities for us, for which we remain grateful,” he said.
