brief history of the scholarship program

The scholarship program is administered by the Education Committee. Originally named the Education and Cultural Committee, it is one of MUTA’s oldest standing committees. The Committee was created in 1999 with the expressed goal of promoting and advancing education among Tiv youth and stimulating research into Tiv history and culture. For the first 5 years, the scholarship had no budget or endowment. Each year, donations were solicited during the annual MUTA meeting to raise money in support of the scholarship. As a result, both the number and value of the scholarship awards were inconsistent, dependent as they were on the amount of money raised. MUTA membership recognized that this situation was neither ideal nor sustainable. 

Moreover, planning on the basis of such variable amount was both complicated and unpredictable. So efforts began in earnest to raise the capital to endow the scholarship. That goal was achieved in 2005 when MUTA bought the Central Bank of Nigeria Treasury bonds for N5,000,000.00. The management of that investment and the transfer of signatories to the account following leadership changes has been less than ideal but that is outside the scope of this memo. The original award amount was ₦10,000 per recipient. Following a review in 2008, that amount was increased to ₦20,000 and then, in 2018 it was increased again to ₦30,000. The present value is ₦50,000 per recipient.

Since its inception, the Committee has awarded scholarships to over 400 scholarships totaling $200,000  to deserving Tiv students from various academic disciplines in STEM, medicine and allied medical programs and institutions across Nigeria. The Committee holds distinct traits within MUTA:

1. Longevity: It stands as the oldest and continuously operated mandate within MUTA, highlighting its enduring commitment to education.
2. Transparency and Integrity: Operating devoid of conflicts or scandals, it has maintained a transparent selection process, ensuring fairness and merit-based awards.
3. Empowering Tiv Youth: Through altruistic efforts, it has empowered numerous Tiv youth, supporting their educational aspirations without bias or favoritism.

The significance of points (2) and (3) cannot be overstated. In a society like Nigeria where integrity in public service has dwindled, the Education Committee stands as a beacon of ethical conduct. It adheres strictly to MUTA's criteria, awarding scholarships solely based on merit. Many recipients attest to the rarity of such a process, where lobbying or connections don’t influence selection—an achievement that speaks volumes about the Committee's diligence and professionalism.

Beyond the numbers, the impact of these scholarships reverberates in the success stories of its recipients who have gone on to become successful academics, civil service professionals and entrepreneurs. Notable examples include Prof Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa, who is the current President of MUTA and a Professor of Nuclear Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as faculty member at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) at Duke University. Others include Dr Doosuur Malu, a family medicine practitioner based in London, Ontario, and Daniel Terver, an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, Benue State University, Nigeria. Another notable recipient is Dr. Iveren Winifred Nyinoh, who is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria. She is also the founder and director of the Women in STEM Initiative (WISI), which aims to inspire and empower young girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

The Education Committee's legacy extends far beyond financial aid; it is a testament to MUTA's commitment to fostering education, integrity, and the advancement of Tiv youth—an achievement worthy of celebration and continued support.