Senator Akpabio, Senator Ngwu and others with the beneficiaries of the scholarship/bursary award
…gives N100m support
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday praised Senator Osita Ngwu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, for institutionalising a scholarship and bursary scheme aimed at supporting students from his constituency.
Akpabio gave the commendation during the disbursement of the 2025/2026 Scholarship and Bursary Awards to about 4,000 indigent students from Enugu West Senatorial District, sponsored by Senator Ngwu.
He noted that the N250 million earmarked for the 2025/2026 scholarship scheme by the lawmaker is the highest education support programme undertaken by any senator in the current National Assembly, and announced a personal donation of N100 million to the initiative.
According to him, the programme represents a unique investment in the future of Enugu State and the nation at large.
His words, ” Osita Ngwu is laying a foundation for leaders of tomorrow. Osita Ngwu is encouraging youths to go to school and become better Nigerians tomorrow. God Almighty will reward you.
“Osita Ngwu I am very proud of you”.
Akpabio disclosed that he had been providing similar support to students since 1988 and urged other politicians and wealthy Nigerians to adopt educational empowerment as a tradition.
“I came here thinking I would leave within an hour for another function, but seeing the magnitude of what is happening, I told my pilot to stand down.This is an uncommon project”,Akpabio said.
In his remarks, Senator Ngwu explained that the scholarship and bursary initiative originated from his personal experiences and compassion to assist other students when he was just 18 years old.
He recalled that while studying Engineering at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), where he excelled in Mathematics and Physics, he would return to his hometown of Ngwo after lectures to teach students preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examinations in a community classroom.
Ngwu stated that the vision, which began about three decades ago in a small room, eventually evolved into the Enugu West Academy (EWA).
His words, “At the heart of this mission is the Enugu West JAMB Academy, a flagship initiative born from my humble beginnings in a single room in Ngwo.
“Today, it has grown into transformative, district-wice movement, impacting over 3,500 students across the five local government areas. Through intensive tutoring, technology enabled learning, mentorship and scholarship support, the academy proves what is possible when vision meets action, and when leadership invests boldly in human potential”.
The senator also highlighted the academy’s achievements, revealing that in 2025 it provided free UTME preparation classes and registration to more than 2,600 students across the five local government areas of Enugu West.
“The academy currently has over 4,000 students across nineteen physical learning centres and online classes, supported by more than 175 dedicated teachers,” Sen Ngwu said.
Ngwu expressed appreciation to Governor Peter Mbah for approving the use of public facilities for the academy’s learning centres, adding that the people of Enugu West remain grateful for the governor’s support. He also thanked the Bishop of Nike Diocese, Rt Rev. Dr. Christian Onyeka Onyia, for assisting the academy in achieving its objectives.
The senator further revealed that about 65 percent of the participating students scored above 200 in the 2025 UTME cycle, with more than 30 candidates scoring above 300.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director and Head of Strategy at Enugu West Academy, Mr. Kanayochukwu Ani, said the initiative had continued to deliver positive outcomes and commended Senator Ngwu for his philanthropic commitment to education.
He stated, “Today is a beautiful reminder that a vision becomes more powerful when a community decides to carry it together. What began years ago as a simple desire of Senator Osita Ngwu to help students do better had grown into a platform for families across Enugu West district. What makes today even more special is not only the scholarships being awarded but the message being reinforced that education still matters,that discipline counts, and that our young people are worth investing in”.
The highlight of the well-attended event held at the Enugu International Conference Centre was the presentation of a cheque worth N5.5 million to offset the school fees of three postgraduate students who passed through the Enugu West Academy.
A symbolic cheque for the 2025/2026 scholarship awardees who scored 300 and above in the UTME was also presented, after which the 60 successful students mounted the podium for a group photograph with the sponsor, Senator Osita Ngwu.
Students in Category B, described as the Merit Scholarship group for candidates who scored between 290 and 299, also received their awards and joined in another group photograph.
Similarly, beneficiaries under Category C, termed the Special Recognition Bursary (Irrespective of UTME score), were presented with their awards and later joined the general group photograph with Senator Osita Ngwu, the guest of honour Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Kelvin Ugwu, Senator Nwebonyi, and Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, among other federal lawmakers present at the event.
Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, commended Senator Ngwu’s initiative in promoting human capital development and delivering democratic dividends to the people.
He stated, “Unlike the executives, the legislators doesn’t control funds Therefore,it takes a lot of hard work for Senator Osita Ngwu to do what he is currently doing”.
The deputy governor also noted that Enugu State stands out in Africa in terms of higher education institutions.
His words, “There is no state in Africa that has the number of higher institutions both public and private more than Enugu state.
“We are investing over 1.5billion naira per ward to rebuild eco school system in the state.We need to work together for the benefit of our people, not minding whether you are in the Federal or serving in the state.
He assured that the state government would continue to support the Enugu West Academy initiatives.
Representatives of traditional institutions and educational bodies in Enugu State, who spoke at the event, also commended Senator Ngwu for the initiative and urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to secure a better future.
