Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has approved the sponsorship of postgraduate studies for First Class graduates of Ebonyi State University, covering both indigenes and non-indigenes.
The approval, announced on Friday, will see the beneficiaries undertake Master’s and PhD programmes, in what the state government described as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development and promote academic excellence.
The decision comes months after the governor approved automatic employment for First Class graduates of the institution as lecturers, a move aimed at boosting the university’s academic workforce.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, the initiative was presented as a continuation of policies designed to reward outstanding academic performance and encourage a culture of excellence among students.
“His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has once again demonstrated visionary leadership by approving and funding Master’s and PhD programs for all First Class graduates of Ebonyi State University, both indigenes and non-indigenes.
“This follows his earlier landmark decision to grant them automatic employment as lecturers in the university – an uncommon commitment to academic excellence and human capital development,” the statement read.
The government maintained that the combined approach of employment and advanced academic training would help address gaps in the education sector while positioning the institution for improved performance.
The latest development is expected to benefit a new set of graduates following recent academic sessions at the university.