Western Union offers N3m grant to six undergraduates 

The Western Union company, a leader in global payments services, is set to award N3m grant to six deserving undergraduates in the nation’s universities as part of its “back-to-school” promotion.

The scholarship scheme, which is in collaboration with Joseph and Eunice Oladaiye Foundation, would cover tuition, books and other sundry expenses. The company’s regional vice president for Africa, Aida Diarra, explained that the grant was a demonstration of their support to host communities.

Diarra disclosed that over one million dollars, through direct and joint funding has been expended on the scheme since it started five years ago.

He said,  “At western union, we believe that education, access to financial services and economic opportunity go hand in hand. The company has a history of supporting education in Nigeria, and has pledged more than $1m since 2012—some direct funds and some joint funding in collaboration with the Western Union Foundation and the support of participating Nigeria-based western union agents.

In the last five years, Diarra stated that the organisation has funded full scholarships worth $500,000 to 10 Nigerian undergraduates in addition to donating school materials, including school bags, pencils, pens and water bottles, worth over $100,000 to pupils in public primary schools across the country.

“The Western Union Foundation believes that education is one of the surest pathways to economic opportunity. Through collaborations with non-governmental organisations around the world, the foundation has embarked on a five-year mission to equip 50,000 migrants and refugees – with a focus on women and young people – with the skills they need to thrive in the global economy by 2020,” Diarra added.