The Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation has announced the launch of the Future Builders Fund, a scholarship initiative created to empower high-potential but under-resourced students across Nigeria.
This pilot program is designed to remove financial and structural barriers that prevent promising students from reaching their full potential in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Nigeria.
In recognition of the fact that nations need to strategically invest in preparing their youth to take advantage of the global digital economy,, the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation had donated a CAD/CAM laboratory worth over 100m naira to the Obafemi Awolowo University last year while supporting other initiatives that include Management Students Association of the University of Lagos Entrepreneurship Challenge, Nigenius Inter-School Robotics Competition, and NextGen Connect Interschool Oratory Competition valued at N50 million.
The Future Builders Fund addresses a challenge facing Nigerian universities: while STEM programs have expanded and enrollment in fields like computer science and engineering has increased, many students face financial constraints that force them to abandon their studies. This scholarship program targets under-resourced students who possess the drive, intelligence, and builder’s mindset necessary to become Nigeria’s future innovators.
The vision behind the Future Builders Fund is premised in the belief that education is a powerful equalizer capable of turning raw potential into real solutions.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, and socioeconomic barriers should not be a roadblock to mastery and brilliance,” said Tosin Eniolorunda, founder of the Foundation. “We are launching the Future Builders Fund to find and nurture the innovators who will shape Nigeria’s future.
This is a way of creating financial happiness leveraging the power of education to help students from low-income and under-resourced backgrounds gain mastery, giving them a fighting chance at being innovative change makers, who will develop life-changing solutions.”
The Future Builders Fund will sponsor 14 outstanding students—two per university—across seven federal universities, providing tuition support, hostel accommodation, a laptop, and a monthly stipend. In addition, scholars will benefit from ongoing mentorship and development programs designed to cultivate a solutions-oriented mindset throughout their academic journey.
For the pioneer cohort, the participating federal universities were selected across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Lagos. They are: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Calabar; University of Abuja; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; University of Maiduguri and University of Lagos.
The scholarship is open to STEM students entering 200 level (i.e., those who have completed 100 level) in the listed universities. Interested applicants are required to submit: Basic bio-data, Academic record (100 level transcript or statement of result) and a personal essay or statement of need.
Applicants will be screened based on academic merit, clarity of purpose, and demonstrated need. From each university, the top 10 shortlisted candidates will sit for a standardized test assessing academic ability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The best two candidates per university will be awarded the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation Scholarship.
The Future Builders Fund is demonstrating a commitment to nurturing talent that can drive national development. Scholarship recipients will be assessed annually and renewal will be based on satisfactory academic performance and demonstrated growth in technical or leadership skills outside the classroom. This ensures the program supports students who are actively applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems.
This pilot edition of the initiative will lay the groundwork for a sustainable five-year, scalable scholarship program that exudes an innovative approach – financial support with mentorship, leadership development, and practical STEM skill application in a manner that can accelerate Nigeria’s cultivation of world-class STEM innovators. Applications which open immediately, will close on October 16, 2025.
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Justus Adejumoh
Justus Adejumoh is an IT / Telecom Reporter who has been covering the ICT sector for over a decade. He is currently the IT / Telecom Editor of Independent Newspapers Limited. With a knack for the industry’s issues and trends, he has given impetus to the industry through agenda-setting reports, analysis of issues and interfacing with industry stakeholders.
A graduate of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), he also attended Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State for his first degree and Master from University of Lagos. Also, he has attended several training courses and workshops on media and other fields. They include CNN / MultiChoice Media Training, CSR Training- Pan-Atlantic University (Lagos Business School), and Microsoft Advanced Media Training, among others.
He is currently the General Secretary of Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) and a Senior Member of Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management (CIPDM).
Source: Independent.ng | Read the Full Story…