The Catholic Diocese of Awka, Anambra State in southeastern Nigeria, in partnership with the Austria-based Help For All (HIFA) Initiative, has awarded ₦12.6 million (about $8,000) in tuition support to 84 students from low-income families across Anambra State.
The financial assistance, disbursed through the diocese’s Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), was presented during a ceremony at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral in Awka, the state capital.
Each beneficiary received ₦150,000 (approximately $95) to help cover school fees, an increase from ₦125,000 per student in previous years.
Organisers said the funding boost reflects growing economic pressures in Nigeria, where rising living costs have strained many families’ ability to afford education.
Speaking at the event, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, described education as the most reliable pathway to personal advancement and social relevance. He urged the students to remain disciplined and focused on their studies.
“Without education, your aspirations may remain out of reach,” he said, warning that continued participation in the scholarship scheme would depend on strong academic performance and good conduct.
The bishop was represented by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Charles Ndubuisi, alongside the Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Fr. Maximus Okonkwo.
Rev. Fr. Levi Ukor, Executive Director of JDPC Awka Diocese and Chairman of the Anambra State HIFA Board, said the intervention is part of a longstanding collaboration with HIFA Austria, a non-governmental organisation founded and funded by retired teachers.
According to Ukor, the sponsors closely monitor beneficiaries’ academic results and school reports, a commitment that has encouraged them to expand funding this year.
“This year alone, we are spending ₦12.6 million, more than in previous years
“The increase reflects both the sponsors’ dedication and the current economic realities facing families,” he said.
Beneficiaries were selected through an annual screening process designed to verify financial need. Students were drawn from communities across Anambra State, including Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ozubulu, Ihiala, Ekwulobia and Orumba, regardless of religious denomination.
Beyond tuition payments, JDPC and HIFA Austria also support school construction and renovation projects, healthcare initiatives, transportation assistance, payment of medical bills for the destitute, and skills acquisition programs for vulnerable groups.
HIFA Austria, co-founded by Adolf Paster and the late Rev. Fr. Aaron Ekwu, operates in six Nigerian states and maintains a strong humanitarian presence in Anambra.
Also addressing parents at the ceremony, JDPC Diocesan Chairman Paulinus Adinuba cautioned that the funds must be used strictly for educational purposes.
The event drew parents, students and school representatives from across the state. In a joint expression of appreciation, the beneficiaries pledged to improve their academic performance and serve as positive role models within their communities.
The initiative highlights the expanding role of faith-based and international partnerships in supporting access to education in Africa’s most populous country, where economic headwinds continue to put pressure on household incomes.