Talent is spread evenly across Nigeria. Opportunity isn’t. The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation (LSEF) is trying to close that gap, and it has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) to bring mentorship, technical training and hands-on experience to the young people in its technology scholarship scheme.
A scholarship for 1,000 gifted students
The scheme was first announced by Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group. It supports exceptionally gifted but financially disadvantaged students who want to study Computer Science and related fields at federal and state universities and polytechnics.
The 1,000 places will be spread across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, regardless of ethnic background. It follows Ekeh’s idea of “one family, one tech-empowered person”. From first year to graduation, each scholar gets technology training, skills development and a monthly stipend, plus a dedicated mentor to lean on.
What the NCS adds
Here the tech mentorship program takes shape. Under the MoU, the Nigeria Computer Society will supply technical support and practical learning through experienced, certified professionals. The idea is to pair classroom theory with real-world exposure, so students build problem-solving skills and the confidence to use what they know outside the lecture hall.
LSEF Director Dr. George Emetuche says boot camps will run every semester. His goal is simple: graduates who can actually solve real problems, not just collect a certificate.
Voices from the signing
NCS President Professor Muhammed Siraju Aliyu called Ekeh a nationalist who keeps backing efforts that open doors for Nigerians who might otherwise be shut out. He said the relationship between Ekeh and the NCS goes back before this scholarship, and pointed to Ekeh’s innovation programs that help young people shape ideas and pitch them to investors.
Zinox Group’s Executive Director for Human Resources, Mrs. Chioma Nwoke, promised continued support for the initiative, cohort after cohort.
Why it could matter
Think of it as planting an orchard rather than buying fruit. A thousand students who get education, skills, mentors and practical experience could grow into a stronger line of home-grown developers, innovators and problem-solvers. Many of them will eventually look for software development jobs at home or abroad, and some will build their own companies. For those pitching ideas to investors, startup events are a natural next step.
The Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation frames the effort as a long-term investment in Nigeria’s human capital. The real measure will be what these scholars build once they graduate.
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