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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has unveiled a new initiative, the Constituency Scholarship and Talent Development Scheme (CSTDS), aimed at expanding access to education, mentorship and international exposure opportunities for Nigerian students.
The association, in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja, said the programme would provide scholarships and talent development opportunities through strategic partnerships with members of the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Speaking on the initiative, NANS President, Babatunde Akinteye, popularly known as Babtee, described the scheme as a major step toward bridging the gap between Nigerian students and access to quality education and global opportunities.
According to him, the programme goes beyond awarding scholarships and is designed to create sustainable pathways for academic and career advancement.
“This initiative is a major step forward in ensuring that Nigerian students are not limited by geography or financial constraints. It is not just about awarding scholarships, but about creating pathways for long-term academic and career success,” he said.
Akinteye explained that the scheme would enable lawmakers to channel constituency resources into transparent and structured educational support systems that directly benefit students.
Also speaking, the Director of International Projects and Partnerships, Abraham Adewoye, said the programme would leverage partnerships across the United Kingdom, the United States and Europe to connect Nigerian students with the global academic community.
According to him, beneficiaries would gain exposure to international academic standards, networks and opportunities that would better prepare them for future careers.
“What we are building is a bridge between Nigerian students and the global academic community. Through this programme, beneficiaries will gain exposure to international standards, networks and opportunities that prepare them for the future,” Adewoye said.
He assured students that the initiative would cover all constituencies across the country, stressing that no region would be excluded from the programme.
“This opportunity is designed to touch every constituency in Nigeria. We are committed to ensuring that students from all parts of the country benefit from this programme,” he added.
Adewoye also assured stakeholders that the programme would be implemented with transparency, accountability and measurable impact across participating constituencies.
According to NANS, the CSTDS will focus on scholarship support for students, international academic exposure programmes, as well as mentorship and skills development initiatives.
The association disclosed that each participating constituency would be expected to support between 20 and 30 students annually, while at least 10 beneficiaries would have access to international exposure programmes.
NANS called on senators, members of the House of Representatives and state lawmakers to adopt the initiative as part of their constituency development programmes.
The association noted that the scheme aligns with existing funding mechanisms, including constituency project allocations, education intervention funds and youth empowerment budgets.
NANS said the initiative underscores its commitment to promoting student welfare and advancing educational development for millions of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions within the country and in the diaspora.
