The Federal Government has awarded scholarships to the best students of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in the country.
Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu stated this during the presentation of certificates to the overall three best students that emerged champions at the Young Nigeria Scientists Presidential Award (YONSPA) on Monday in Abuja.
A statement signed by the Afonja Ajibola , Deputy Director Press and Public Relations of the ministry made available to CNA indicates that the award came as a challenge to young Nigerians to show interest in Science subjects through STEM.
The scholarship which is up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree level will cover any science-related discipline of their choice at any university in the country,Onu added.
The minister encouraged the victorious students to continue working hard to be the best they can be especially to make Nigeria proud.
Noting that Nigeria was the first to produce a Nobel laureate in literature,Onu urged the students to strive to be the first Nigerian Nobel laureates in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan said that the Ministry will follow up on the progress of the students, especially as they have bagged a scholarship to Phd level.
He encouraged the students to be ambassadors of Nigeria especially in the areas of the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and used the opportunity to invite them to the 2022 edition of Science, Technology and Innovation Expo 2022, scheduled to hold between March 14th –Friday 18ththis year.
Twenty three out of 36 states of the federation participated in the competition where Maryam Olufunmilayo Ogunbayo of Pen Resource Academy Gombe state, Gbolahan Azeem Ayinde of African Church Grammar School Ogun state and Uchendu Mmesomachukwu Judith UNIBEN Demonstration Secondary school Edo state emerged winner,First and second runner up.
