The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals Nigeria has expanded its scholarship programme with the admission of 52 new beneficiaries, increasing the total number of students supported under the initiative to 193 in a move aimed at widening access to higher education and promoting academic excellence among young Nigerians.
The latest beneficiaries comprise 47 students from WACT’s host communities and five children of employees, reflecting the company’s continued investment in education, youth development and human capital growth. The announcement was made during the fifth edition of the scholarship award ceremony, attended by the company’s management, community leaders, parents, guardians, employees and the newly selected scholars.
Speaking at the event, WACT Managing Director, Courage Obadagbonyi, described the scholarship scheme as a long-term investment in the future of young people and the sustainable development of the communities where the company operates.
He said the initiative is designed to empower beneficiaries to excel academically and become future leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to their families, communities and the nation’s socio-economic development.
Obadagbonyi noted that the scholarship programme has continued to produce impressive results since it was strengthened in 2021, with several beneficiaries graduating with first-class honours while some have secured employment within the company. He urged the new scholars to remain focused, disciplined and committed to academic excellence in order to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Beyond tuition support, the Managing Director highlighted additional educational initiatives implemented by WACT, including the WACT Internship Programme, which exposes beneficiaries to workplace experience, and the EngineerHER Programme, a one-year development initiative created to equip female graduates with technical skills, industry exposure and career opportunities in engineering and related fields.
Also speaking, the Country Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, described education as one of the company’s most impactful social investments, stressing that developing skilled young people remains essential to national economic growth and sustainable business operations.
According to him, while the company facilitates international trade through its port operations, long-term success depends on nurturing talented individuals capable of driving innovation, productivity and economic transformation. He added that investing in education is central to achieving those objectives.
Representatives of the host communities commended the company for sustaining the scholarship initiative over the years, describing it as a meaningful intervention that has reduced the financial burden on many families while creating opportunities for academically outstanding students to pursue higher education.
They encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity by maintaining high academic standards and serving as positive ambassadors of their communities.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mbombom Obariayime expressed appreciation to WACT for providing deserving students with the opportunity to continue their education, noting that the scholarship would significantly ease the financial challenges associated with tertiary education.
Education financing has continued to emerge as a major concern for many Nigerian families due to rising tuition fees and increasing living costs. Consequently, scholarship schemes funded by private organisations have become an important source of support for students, complementing government interventions and expanding access to quality education.
The expansion of the WACT Scholarship Scheme further reinforces the growing role of corporate organisations in supporting educational development through scholarships, internships, mentorship and skills acquisition programmes aimed at preparing young Nigerians for future careers.
With the addition of the 52 new beneficiaries, the scholarship programme is expected to further strengthen educational opportunities in WACT’s host communities while contributing to the development of a new generation of highly skilled graduates equipped to support Nigeria’s economic and industrial growth.
