A federal lawmaker, Afam Ogene has awarded scholarships to 40 university students in Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, emphasising the need to expand access to higher education and better prepare young people for competitive careers.
Ogene, who represents Ogbaru in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, announced the scholarships during an education-focused lecture held at St. Lwanga Catholic Parish in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.
Addressing students and community members, Ogene stressed that investing in education was essential to equipping young people with critical thinking skills, professional competence and the values needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive labour market.
“This is a way of prioritising the education of the youths of this constituency to equip them adequately and make them ready for future opportunities,” he said.
Shortage of Qualified Professionals
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a decline in educational attainment within the constituency, noting that a shortage of qualified professionals has limited residents’ access to employment opportunities.
He cited a recent example involving federal government healthcare positions allocated to the area.
“Despite widespread announcements across Ogbaru, we were only able to get one qualified nurse, who was immediately employed by a teaching hospital. We did not get a single medical doctor,” Ogene said.
Education experts at the event welcomed the initiative. Professor Frank-Collins Okafor, a political scientist and former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, described effective education as a critical tool for unlocking young people’s potential.
He emphasised that quality education goes beyond classroom instruction to include the development of analytical skills and strong personal values.
Other speakers, including Rev. Fr. Joshua Obiekezie, Principal of St. Lwanga Catholic Secondary School; Dr. Fidel Oduah of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko; and Mrs. Ify Oduah of the Society of Women Engineers, commended the scholarship programme, describing it as a meaningful step toward creating real employment pathways for young people in the constituency.
According to Dr. Frank Oduah, a development economist and coordinator of the education programme, the initiative extends beyond tuition support.
He said Ogene funded university entrance examination (JAMB) registration fees for more than 200 applicants and facilitated university admissions for 187 students for the 2025/2026 academic session.
Under the first phase of the scholarship scheme, 30 undergraduates benefited. With the addition of the latest recipients, a total of 70 students from Ogbaru Federal Constituency are currently supported under the programme.
The initiative reflects growing efforts by local political leaders in Nigeria to address educational gaps and improve workforce readiness in underserved communities.