The Ernestville Foundation, established in honor of Nigerian educational pioneer Mazi Ernest O. N. Oji, is gaining international recognition for its efforts to bridge gaps in opportunity, technology, and community development across underserved areas.
In 2024, the Foundation launched several projects aimed at improving access to quality education, particularly in rural regions. These initiatives include distributing iPads and digital learning tools, supporting local schools, and empowering teachers through partnerships. According to the Foundation, all these efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on advancing digital education and social impact.
A major milestone came in 2025 when six students from Ajalli, a historic town in southeastern Nigeria, received full scholarships to attend the prestigious Government College Umuahia (GCU). The school is well known for its tradition of academic excellence, notable alumni, and leadership development. The scholarship programme aims to revive the culture of quality education and leadership training in communities like Ajalli, which once had a strong legacy of educational excellence.
“This is not just about sending children to school,” said Jideofor “Jay” Oji, Founder and Chairman of Ernestville Foundation. “It’s about restoring a heritage of excellence and investing in leaders who will one day transform their communities.”
To support the programme, the Foundation hired three teachers and launched an intensive three-month preparatory course to help students meet the admission standards for secondary school. In addition to the six boys who gained admission to GCU, another 20 students—16 girls and four boys—who passed entrance exams to other schools each received N50,000 in academic support grants.
Beyond scholarships, Ernestville Foundation is driving education innovation, entrepreneurship development, and social welfare initiatives. Among its flagship programs are the Umuabiama STEM+ Academy, a unique model that offers advanced learning in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, English, and indigenous languages. The program helps students excel academically while maintaining cultural identity and confidence.
Another major initiative, the Ajalli Enterprise & Innovation Hub, focuses on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and vocational skills. It provides mentorship, startup incubation, and access to business tools designed to help young entrepreneurs build sustainable enterprises in sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and agribusiness.
In addition, the B A Okafor Chess Chun program uses chess as a learning tool to improve cognitive skills, creativity, discipline, and teamwork among young people in Nigerian communities. The Helping Hands Initiative, also known as the Hollow of His Hand Support Network, extends the Foundation’s mission to provide basic support like food, healthcare, and housing to vulnerable families.
Registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States, the Ernestville Foundation has outlined a decade-long plan to reach 5,000 scholarship recipients, train 1,000 entrepreneurs, and establish five innovation hubs focused on key industries including clean energy, fintech, and agritech. The goal is to directly or indirectly impact one million lives by 2035.
With a strategic leadership team and advisory board comprising experts in finance, healthcare, academia, technology, and governance, Ernestville Foundation is building global partnerships with governments, private businesses, and the African diaspora. From digital classrooms to enterprise hubs, the Foundation continues to create practical pathways for education, innovation, and economic empowerment in Nigeria.