Group lauds Ekeh for N10bn fund for 1,000 indigent Nigerian varsity tech wiz-kids

*The Ideas Nigeria Movement, a pro-innovation advocacy group, applauds Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, for his landmark act of corporate philanthropy and boldest education intervention for indigent Nigerian tech wiz-kids

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Ideas Nigeria Movement (INM), a pro-innovation advocacy group, has commended Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Group, for a landmark act of corporate philanthropy.

The group of professionals and entrepreneurs seeks to promote development through innovation and capacity-building.

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To mark his 70th Birthday this year, Dr. Ekeh has bypassed traditional celebrations by granting University scholarships to 1,000 indigent Nigerian “wiz-kids” to study Computer Science in the country’s academic institutions.

With an estimated investment exceeding N10 billion spread over several years, the initiative aims to build a sustainable pipeline of local tech talent.

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Describing the gesture as a debt of gratitude to humanity, Dr. Ekeh noted that the scholarship is a thank-you to God, the Nigerian Government, and the corporate sector for their steadfast support of the Zinox Group’s various subsidiaries over the decades.

Nadodo Abubakar, Executive Secretary of the Ideas Nigeria Movement, in a statement Wednesday, February 18, 2026, commended the Chairman of Zinox Group for his thoughtfulness and forward-looking gesture.

Abubakar also described the initiative as “structured, targeted scholarship and the first of its kind in Nigeria.”

The statement noted: “The concept of such structured, targeted, youth-focused scholarship is rare and laudable.

“For the first time in the history of Nigeria, we are seeing a scholarship of such magnitude solely dedicated to the study of computer science.”

INM stated that the scholarship targets the most critical segment of Nigeria’s demographics – the youths.

It further said: “We consider this not just as an investment in the youths, but an expression of confidence in the future of the country.”

INM described the scholarship as “the first ever futuristic scholarship in Nigeria capable of addressing the digital gap between Nigeria and other developing nations.”

The group, however, lamented Nigeria’s position on the 2025 Digital Identity Readiness report as well as the global Digital Adoption Index, which ranked the state of digital literacy among countries.

The statement also noted the INM emphasised though some Asians countries, such as Singapore and the Philippines, are rubbing shoulders with Western countries, the same cannot be said of Nigeria.

The statement described the scholarship gesture as a proof of patriotism, stressing that no foreign company could have done this despite the huge returns on investment they rake in from Nigeria.

It urged other public-spirited Nigerians to sponsor more niche-focused scholarships as a strategy to build a future of shared prosperity for the nation.

Earlier, while announcing the scholarship earlier this week, Ekeh has explained that selection should be based on a minimum Intelligent Quotient (IQ) and Age nationwide.

He explained that beneficiaries should be schooled and exposed beyond tech to become global Tech Citizens.

Ekeh also stated: “Each shall have a tech mentor from year one, as I plan a partnership with Computer Society of Nigeria and every vocation they will be engaged resourcefully. “Beneficiaries shall be from poor homes with parents who earn below Government Level 10 and its equivalent in the private sector.

“The first batch starts this September.”

On the projected cost to undertake such huge project, he said: “It is a spirit-driven project to thank those who supported, and are still supporting companies within the Zinox Group.

“It has an annual cost that shall run into billions of Naira, and my group is committed to it among other social responsibility projects like TD Africa Project to produce 10,000 female tech experts out of which 400 have graduated and are fully employed in different corporates in Nigeria.”

The Chairman of Zinox Group added: “This is a 10-year project with other perks. The full package shall be revealed online on March 22, 2026.”

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