Through its flagship Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme, Guinness Nigeria Plc has granted scholarships to 33 students for the 2024 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme as part of its ongoing commitment to empowering young Nigerians via education.
Each beneficiary will earn 200,000 naira per year for the duration of their undergraduate studies at public universities around the nation, the corporation claims. Following a demanding and tough screening process, the newly chosen beneficiaries were recently unveiled at Guinness Nigeria’s headquarters in Lagos. With this most recent addition, the program’s overall number of beneficiaries since its start has reached 123, demonstrating its growing influence and reach.
Guinness Nigeria‘s Managing Director, Mr. Girish Sharma, highlighted the company’s longstanding dedication to youth empowerment when discussing the Scholarship Awards Scheme.
According to Sharma: “At Guinness Nigeria, we are committed to making a positive impact on society, and our Annual Undergraduate Scholarship Award Scheme is a testament to this commitment. Since its inception in 2019, this scheme has been a beacon of hope, supporting over 90 outstanding students in pursuing their dreams of a brighter tomorrow. To date, we have disbursed over 43 million naira, empowering young minds to excel in STEM fields and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of our great nation.
For 5 years now, the Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme has been a platform to support the education of outstanding youths in our host communities and beyond. This initiative aligns with our corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, and it continues to reflect our dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of Nigerian students.”
The company’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion was again emphasized by Sharma, who cited the outstanding performance of female candidates in this year’s tough hiring process.
Sharma went on to say: “I am particularly proud to share that over 55 percent of our beneficiaries are female, reinforcing our dedication to fostering gender equity in education and STEM professions. Last year, we further expanded the scope of this initiative by including students from the Federal Nigerian Society for the Blind, recognizing that talent and potential know no bounds. This inclusion has brought a new dimension to the scheme, proving that with the right support, everyone can achieve greatness.”
Guinness Nigeria’s Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Rotimi Odusola, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to assisting young Nigerians with their education and broadening the pool of beneficiaries, saying: “At Guinness Nigeria, we proudly support Nigerian undergraduates enrolled in public higher institutions. We take great pride in contributing to the educational advancement of these young Nigerians. This scholarship scheme represents one of the many initiatives through which we demonstrate our commitment to Nigeria as a responsible and socially conscious corporate citizen.
“We are continually exploring ways to expand the pool of beneficiaries, which may include increasing the number of recipients in the future. Over the past few years, we have doubled the annual financial support provided to each beneficiary, raising the amount from 100,000 naira to 200,000 naira. Rest assured, we remain committed to identifying opportunities for further expansion and inclusivity in the program as we move forward,” he added.
John Sharon, a University of Lagos student and one of the beneficiaries, expressed her happiness at the chance by saying: “I am deeply honoured and thrilled to have received this scholarship opportunity, courtesy of Guinness Nigeria. It was a pleasant surprise to receive the congratulatory message, and I am immensely grateful for this timely support, particularly considering the recent increase in school fees. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Guinness Nigeria for this remarkable initiative and for investing in the education of young Nigerians like myself.”
Mrs. Lasisi Salimot, a parent of one of the recipients, thanked Guinness Nigeria for its successful initiative, saying: “As a widow, the Guinness Nigeria Undergraduate Scholarship has been immensely beneficial to me. I am especially pleased with the increase in funding from 100,000 naira to 200,000 naira, as I have no other means of support to ensure my daughter completes her university education. I would like to take this opportunity to kindly appeal to the management of Guinness Nigeria to continue this commendable initiative.”
Along with its other CSR initiatives targeted at empowering Nigerian youth, Guinness Nigeria’s undergraduate scholarship program is a component of its larger initiatives to support education and skill development. The program’s influence is demonstrated by the overwhelming 18,517 applications it received this year. 33 new grantees were also accepted into the program.
