Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru has approved five years full scholarship to 187 pioneer students of the University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe Agbaja.

The governor made the announcement during the maiden matriculation ceremony of the university last week.

Nwifuru said the students would enjoy the scholarship for five years, even if they fail to benefit from the federal government’s NELFUND scheme, warning that the administration would maintain zero tolerance for examination malpractice, cultism and other anti-social behaviours.

He explained that the establishment of the university was aimed at producing graduates who would become job creators through innovation and technology rather than job seekers in an already saturated labour market.

According to him, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and functional education remain key pillars of his administration’s manifesto, noting that the rising rate of unemployment makes self-reliance-driven education inevitable.

“The essence of this institution is to produce graduates who can think outside the box and provide innovative solutions to societal problems.

“When you key into this vision, you will acquire skills that can lift you and your families out of poverty,” the governor said.

He disclosed that the state government was constructing lecture theatres, senate and administrative buildings, as well as staff and student hostels to provide a conducive learning environment.

The governor urged the matriculating students to be good ambassadors of the university, the Oferekpe Agbaja community and Ebonyi State, while also charging the management to ensure that academic standards are not compromised.

Earlier, vice chancellor of the university, Prof Ernest Egba said the university has recorded notable research progress since academic activities commenced in mid-2025, including creative sketching, production of medical consumables and other products supporting female hygiene.

Egba said the institution was deliberately established to advance technological development, stressing that investment in the university represents an investment in the technological future of Ebonyi State and Nigeria.

He added that the university currently runs 20 academic programmes across five faculties, including Engineering and Technology, Computing, Communication, Management and Social Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Architecture and Environmental Sciences.