The Pistis Foundation has awarded scholarships to 214 students drawn from seven states, reaffirming its commitment to education and youth empowerment. According to a statement released on Tuesday, the beneficiaries were selected from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Abia, Delta, Rivers and Enugu states and will be supported until they graduate from tertiary institutions.
The foundation said the scholarships form part of its effort to expand access to quality education and support young people with academic potential. It noted that the award ceremony opened with a Partners’ Fireside Chat that brought together education experts and philanthropists to discuss the theme, “Optimising Last-Mile Education – Driving Impact through Philanthropy.”
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the Pistis Foundation, Leonard Thomas, emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing education gaps, especially in underserved communities.
The panel discussion featured the co-founder and lead of The Destiny Trust Foundation, Bimbo Ojenike; the Executive Director of The Learning Place, Bolanle Adewole; and the CEO of Teach for Nigeria, Molade Adeniyi. “The session, moderated by Sowari Akosionu, explored how philanthropy can strengthen educational outcomes in underserved communities,” the statement said.
It added that the event also marked the official launch of the PF Scholars Mentorship Programme, now embedded within the foundation’s education platform, Adopt-A-PF-Scholar, and designed to provide ongoing guidance and support for beneficiaries.
Following the fireside chat, the Scholarship Award Ceremony commenced with attendance from the foundation’s board, management, partners, parents, scholars and guests. The statement said the 214 beneficiaries distinguished themselves during a rigorous scholarship assessment process.
It noted that they joined returning beneficiaries, bringing the total number of academic scholars for the 2025/2026 academic year to 347. “The scholarships, valued at a discounted sum of about ₦137m, represent a significant investment in Nigeria’s future leaders,” it stated.
The ceremony also featured the annual recognition of outstanding scholars from the 2024/2025 academic session, with awards for the best students in English and Mathematics, the most improved scholars, and the Scholar of the Year Award, which came with a cash prize of ₦100,000.
“Parents and students shared heartfelt testimonies, underscoring the transformative impact of the programme on their lives,” the statement added.
In his closing address, the Founder and Board Chair of the Pistis Foundation, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, urged beneficiaries and parents to remain committed to academic excellence. The Board Secretary, Doyin Johnson, thanked partners, volunteers and staff whose dedication ensured the ceremony’s success overall.
