By Henry Obetta

Non-profit organisation, i-Scholar Initiative, has urged the country’s leaders to invest more in education, saying the future of the country depends on the level of literacy citizens are able to attain.

The NGO made the call at the i-Scholar Initiative Board of Trustees reception in Lagos, held to spur dialogue and collaboration among partners, stakeholders and mentors committed to national and human development.

Speaking at the reception, President of the organisation, Mr Victor Ogunmola, lamented the state of the country’s education system, noting that while Nigeria has many intelligent and talented youths, there is a lack of an enabling learning environment to nurture those talents.

Ogunmola said: “Imagine a chemistry student who cannot even find a common reagent to work with in the laboratory. He or she does not understand the practical concept of a simple chemical equation. How do we explain the case of a computer science student who does not have a personal computer?”

He urged leaders to be innovative in empowering young people, emphasising that one of the ways to achieve this is by sponsoring youths to access quality education in order to build their intellect and maximise their potential.

Ogunmola added: “Today, yes, we have a lot of technocrats and people who know what they are doing in government, but I can tell you they are still a minority. In the next five to 10 years, we want to see a nation where 90 per cent of those making decisions on our behalf are not only passionate and kind, but also possess the needed expertise and requisite skills to lead effectively and deliver results for the majority.”

He further urged Nigerians to move beyond complaints and blame, challenging individuals to consider how they can contribute meaningfully to national development.

Speaking on the organisation’s achievements in sponsoring scholars, Ogunmola said: “Since 2019, over 15,000 Nigerians have passed through our application portal, meaning that more than 15,000 Nigerians have applied through our pipeline. Of this number, at least 10,000 are well qualified.

“However, out of these 10,000-plus Nigerians, about 455 have been able to secure scholarships, largely due to limitations in resources—both financial and human.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the i-Scholar Initiative, Mrs Tolu Ewherido, dismissed claims that the organisation promotes brain drain, stating that its core objective is to empower scholars through global education and drive development on the African continent, particularly in Nigeria.

She noted that several sponsored scholars are already making meaningful contributions to the country, even while in the diaspora.

Ewherido said: “We have scholars who are now actively involved in running the organisation. Some of them are mentors themselves. As we bring in new cohorts, they guide them through the application process and other requirements. Beyond that, the impact these scholars are making within their families and communities is immeasurable.”