Japan to sponsor 29 Nigerians for Masters degree

​The Japanese International Cooperation Agency

(JICA) says it is sponsoring 29 Nigerians to Japan

for their Master’s degree under the Japanese

Government Official Development Assistance.

A statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Ms

Salamatu Baba, Public Relations official of JICA

Nigeria, said the beneficiaries would also undergo

internship at the completion of their programme.

“This Initiative offers opportunities for young and

eligible African youths to study at Master’s

courses in Japanese universities as international

students and also experience internships at

Japanese enterprises.

“This is in order to develop effective skills and

knowledge in various fields, with the aim of

contributing to the development of industries in

Africa.

“This is in fulfilment of a promise made by Prime

Minister Shinzo Abe during the Fifth Tokyo

International Conference on African Development.

“Abe promised a strategic five-year plan to

provide 1,000 African youths with such master’s

scholarship opportunities,” it said.

Baba said JICA received 1,946 applications from 50

African countries for the scholarship for the

Japanese fiscal year admission 2016.

“In Nigeria, JICA received 196 applications that

went through the four-tier rigorous screening

exercise out of which 29 applicants were

successful.

“The participants are expected to contribute to

the development of Nigeria in collaboration with

the Japanese private sector on their return,” the

statement said.