TheCable

The British High Commission has stated that the UK government will award the prestigious Chevening scholarships for the 2024/2025 academic year to some persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria.

The commission said the gesture is in line with ensuring fairness and equal access to education for all in accordance with international conventions.

Gill Atkinson, British deputy high commissioner to Nigeria, announced this on Wednesday in Abuja during a presentation to inform PWDs about the scholarship and how to apply.

She said the scholarship is one of the best things happening between the UK and Nigeria and that it is meant to strengthen British-Nigeria relations, particularly in the education sector.

She said this is done with the view to increasing disability inclusion.

“Chevening is designed not to discriminate against any particular group of people but to give them the opportunities to study, meet their passions and bring those skills and experiences that they have discovered and developed back to Nigeria,” she said.

“The reason we are doing this is to help Nigeria’s brightest and best take their country forward. We really want to see young Nigerians equipped to move their country forward.

“The inclusion of persons with disabilities into the programme is a way the UK government shows them that they are just like every other person with great abilities.

“Persons with disabilities cannot be left out because they also have a lot to impact on society. This is the reason for the inclusion.”

Oluwafunmilayo Ladepo, Chevening programme officer in Nigeria, said the inclusion of PWDs is aimed at making them contribute positively to the Nigerian economy.

“We are not giving PWDs only because of their disabilities but because they have the abilities that many have overlooked due to their disabilities,” Ladepo said.

“We have someone from the previous set who is a journalist with visual impairment who completed his masters program and got an internship with BBC.

“This is because of his ability and intelligence and he will be back after his internship to contribute to the media.

“So, this is the basic thing, partnership with Nigeria to improve Nigeria and also to gain from Nigeria because if we have these people going, we are also having strong people coming back to build Nigeria.”

She said about 47 PWDs have benefitted from the programme since 2014 when the UK government began including them as beneficiaries.

She urged people to apply for the 2024 academic year and check the UK higher institutions listed on the Chevening website.

James Lalu, executive secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), appreciated the UK government for including PWDs in the programme.

He said it is an opportunity that should be well utilised.