From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
European Union (EU) Office in Nigeria, on Tuesday, announced the opening of applications for 2023 Erasmus+ postgraduate scholarship programme, thus calling on interested and qualified candidates to apply.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Samuela Isopi, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that the gesture was in continuous bid to expand higher education opportunities available to young Nigerian graduates.
She further explained that Erasmus+scholarship is EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport, which offers beneficiaries scholarships to study in some of the most prestigious universities within and outside Europe, and also enable youths, students, staff and higher education institutes to study or work with European Higher Education Institutions.
She added that the programme provide beneficiaries with opportunities for mobility and cooperation with partner countries beyond Europe, focusing on its qualitative impact and contributing to more inclusive and cohesive, greener and digitally fit societies.”
The EU Ambassador also confirmed that through the programme, young Nigerians have been equipped with the education, skills and competences they required to thrive in a globalised economy, thus contributing to nation-building.
“The programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic processes especially as Nigeria draws closer to another election cycle.
“Other benefits include improved career prospects, increased entrepreneurship capacities, boosted digital competences and foreign language. The studies are expected to run for 12 to 24 months, and will see each beneficiary studying in different universities in at least two EU Member States,” she said.
Meanwhile, the EU Ambassador said that available data indicated that the number of Nigerians selected for the Erasmus+ scholarship programme quadrupled in the last four years, rising from 44 awardees in 2019, to over 200 young Nigerians in 2022.
“The rise in the number of Nigerians benefiting from the programme in recent years reflect the premium the EU attached on its partnership with Nigeria. It also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to ramping up programmes and activities targeting Nigeria’s vibrant young people.”
The EU, thus, urged Nigerians and Nigerian Higher Education Institutions to take advantage of the opportunities for investment in knowledge, skills and competences, asking interested Nigerians to check the EU’s social media handles for information on how to apply for this year’s scholarship programme.