The Osun State Government in Nigeria will host the African launch of the annual India–Africa Scholarship Scheme, which offers over 10,000 awards, alongside the inauguration of the $500 million International–Africa Scholarship Trust Fund (IASTF). This follows the initiative’s global debut in New Delhi in March 2025 and reflects a growing partnership between India and Africa in higher education.
Governor Ademola Adeleke welcomed Osun State as the launch venue, highlighting the presence of Obafemi Awolowo University, one of Africa’s leading institutions. He emphasized that the program aligns with his administration’s vision to strengthen education in the state and pledged full support for collaboration with the African Asia Scholars Global Network (AASGON), the initiator of the scholarship trust fund.
The launch enjoys strong international backing, with praise from Abdul Dewale Mohammed, AASGON Group Executive President, and recognition from Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank Group, who underscored the scheme’s potential to unite private and public stakeholders in advancing global education systems.
The initiative aims to support disadvantaged and deserving young people across Africa, provide academic opportunities for over 10,000 students, and strengthen South–South educational ties. Governor Adeleke’s leadership has been recognized for broader development achievements, including infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, and social initiatives such as food banks and cooperative programs.
The India–Africa Scholarship Scheme and IASTF are positioned as transformative efforts in international cooperation, offering thousands of African students access to quality education and paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future.
