The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme has announced a fresh opportunity for graduates from developing and emerging economies to pursue fully funded graduate studies at the University of Oxford.

DAAD Scholarships said the initiative aims to prepare scholars for leadership roles through a comprehensive program that comes with financial support.

According to the organizers, the program is designed to empower talented individuals from around the world, enabling them to develop skills and knowledge essential for their futures.

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme provides a pathway for graduates from developing countries to gain education and leadership skills at the University of Oxford.

As the application process opens, eligible candidates are encouraged to seize the opportunity to advance their careers and contribute to society.

Launched in 2015 to honour Lord Weidenfeld’s 95th birthday, the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Programme has expanded its impact since receiving a significant donation from André Hoffmann in 2017. It is part of the Oxford Graduate Scholarships initiative, which combines university funding with contributions from various donors.

The scholarship covers all course fees and provides a living grant of at least £19,237 annually for the duration of the program. Scholars also gain access to a leadership program that includes discussions on philosophy, training in business skills, communication development, and mentorship.

This environment fosters a supportive community for both personal and professional growth.

The Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust collaborates with several organizations, including the Hualan Education Group and Chevening, to offer additional awards and support to its scholars.

Eligibility

To apply for the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships, candidates must meet specific criteria:

New Graduate Course Admission: Applicants must be applying for a full-time graduate program at Oxford, which includes MSc, MSt, MBA, and MPP programs in various fields such as law, public policy, and economics.

Eligible Countries: Candidates should be ordinarily resident in one of the listed eligible countries from regions such as Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Intention to Return: Applicants must plan to return to their home country after completing their studies to contribute positively to public life.

Field of Study and Career Alignment: Candidates need to show a connection between their chosen field of study and long-term professional goals. They should also explain how their work will contribute to public life at regional or global levels.
It is important to note that applicants currently studying at Oxford are not eligible unless they are already Weidenfeld-Hoffmann scholars. Deferred offers for the 2025-26 intake are also not eligible.

How to Apply

The application process involves several steps:

1. Graduate Application Form: Interested candidates must complete the graduate application form available on the Oxford website.

2. Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted by the relevant course deadline, which falls in December 2024 or January 2025.

3. Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships Statement: Applicants must complete and upload this statement along with their graduate application form by the deadline.

4. Nationality and Residency Details: It is crucial to accurately complete the nationality and ordinary residence section of the application, as this information determines eligibility.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview, which typically takes place in April 2025.

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has shared an update on the recent increase in corps members’ monthly allowance.

Investors King reported that the Di rector General of the NYSC through the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, on September 25, announced the government’s decision to increase the corps members’ allowance.

The NYSC revealed that the monthly allowance of corps members was increased to ₦77,000 after the recent increase in the national minimum wage.

According to the NYSC, the new wage, which represents a 133.33 percent increase from the ₦33,000 previous monthly allowance is expected to take effect from July 2024.

This report left corps members with high hopes and excitement.

However, their excitement was short-lived as their September allowance failed to reflect the new amount.

In an interview monitored by this platform, Brigadier General Ahmed explained why the corps members are yet to receive the new allowance.

He said, “Not only the corps members, even our staff members’ salary has been increased about four to five months ago, but it has not been implemented yet. But we are hopeful that the new pay will be implemented soon, but the funds have not been released to us yet.

“The information we have did not specify when the new allowance will be paid, but we were assured that their monthly allowance has been increased from 29th July 2024.”

Ahmed assured corps members that the NYSC is actively engaging with the relevant authorities to ensure the speedy implementation of the new allowance.

The Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) has announced a donation of $380 million for public schools and health centres in 18 African countries.

The donation was announced by the Senior Adviser on the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project at the ECOWAS Commission, El hadji Sylla, during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

According to Sylla, with the move, the ECOWAS aims to promote a new innovative chain to electrify public schools.

Sylla, who stated the goals of the initiative funded by the World Bank, the Clean Technology Fund, and the Dutch government, revealed that the project will kick off from Nigeria and Benin.

He noted that the project covers 15 countries in the ECOWAS region.

According to Sylla “The cost of the project is $380m, and we want to promote a new innovative chain to electrify public institutions. Our target is to electrify schools and health centres to improve service delivery.

“We are piloting the project in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. The project covers 15 countries in the ECOWAS region and four countries in the Sahel region,” Sylla said.

“We are targeting schools and health centres to improve service delivery,” Sylla said, adding that the project is expected to be completed in five years across all participating countries, with the pilot phase in Nigeria and Benin to be executed within 18 months.

In Nigeria, the initiative will begin with electrification projects in selected schools and health centres in the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, and Nasarawa states,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who was represented at the meeting by Bem Ayangeaor, noted that electrification in Nigeria has seen significant growth.

He, however, attributed the growth to the grants and subsidies flowing into the sector.

“I do not doubt that the rural electrification space in Nigeria, thanks to grants and subsidies, has grown significantly and will soon reach a stage where public support leverages private sector financing at higher efficiencies than it is presently done.

“A stage where the private sector would be more excited in investing in the electrification space because of the benefits to be gained,” Adelabu said.