SouthWest Commonwealth Eduversity UK has officially released the final approved list of 676 beneficiaries for the pioneer cohort of its three-month diploma scholarship programmes, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Africa.
Announcing the development, Adjunct Professor of SouthWest Commonwealth Eduversity UK, Dr Gregory Elayeche Oko, expressed profound appreciation to the University’s Governing Council and Management for approving the final list of successful applicants across 15 diploma programmes.
Dr Oko explained that the University had initially approved 200 scholarship opportunities for the maiden cohort but, following his appeal to accommodate the overwhelming number of qualified applicants, particularly from Nigeria, the institution graciously expanded the scholarship slots to 700.
According to him, after a rigorous admission and screening exercise, 676 qualified applicants successfully secured admission into the University’s approved diploma programmes.
“I sincerely appreciate the Governing Council and Management of SouthWest Commonwealth Eduversity UK for their remarkable support and commitment to expanding educational opportunities. Although the University initially approved 200 scholarship slots, it graciously increased the number to 700 following my appeal to accommodate the overwhelming number of qualified applicants, especially from Nigeria. After the screening exercise, 676 deserving candidates were admitted into the fifteen diploma programmes,” Dr Oko said.
He added that the final list of beneficiaries demonstrates the University’s unwavering commitment to widening access to quality higher education, promoting lifelong learning, developing globally competitive professionals and investing in human capital development throughout Africa.
Dr Oko further commended SouthWest Commonwealth Eduversity UK for its vision of making quality higher education accessible through innovative, flexible and globally relevant learning models.
“The University’s vision of making quality higher education accessible through innovative, flexible and globally relevant education, as well as its mission of equipping learners with practical knowledge, professional competence, ethical leadership and entrepreneurial skills, continues to distinguish it as a leading institution committed to transforming lives and societies through education. Its unwavering commitment to inclusiveness, innovation, international collaboration and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals remains exemplary,” he stated.
Distribution of Beneficiaries
The 676 successful beneficiaries were admitted into the following diploma programmes:
Diploma in Public Health – 131 students
Diploma in Nursing and Healthcare – 102 students
Diploma in Community Health and Development – 89 students
Diploma in Healthcare Management – 67 students
Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management – 46 students
Diploma in Project Management – 38 students
Diploma in Epidemiology and Disease Control – 37 students
Diploma in Human Rights and Social Justice – 37 students
Diploma in Renewable Energy – 33 students
Diploma in Gender and Human Rights – 24 students
Diploma in Social Policy and Development – 21 students
Diploma in Solar Energy Systems – 14 students
Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment – 14 students
Diploma in Women Empowerment and Leadership – 12 students
Diploma in Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response – 11 students
Dr Oko also expressed appreciation to members of the Adjunct Faculty under his leadership for voluntarily accepting responsibility for coordinating the various diploma programmes aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The coordinators include:
Dr Ella Adakole Boniface, Adjunct Associate Professor – Coordinator, Diploma in Community Health and Development (SDG 3);
Mr Solomon Ofem Iyam, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Public Health and Diploma in Epidemiology and Disease Control (SDG 3);
Mr Bob Abua, Adjunct Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Nursing and Healthcare and Diploma in Healthcare Management (SDG 3);
Dr Patrick Ogar Ogar, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management (SDG 4);
Sir Gerald Uche Ikhizamah, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response, Diploma in Women Empowerment and Leadership (SDG 5), and Diploma in Social Policy and Development (SDG 10);
Barr. Pascal Aboh, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Gender and Human Rights (SDG 5) and Diploma in Human Rights and Social Justice (SDG 10);
Dr Thomas Odey Magu, Adjunct Associate Professor – Coordinator, Diploma in Renewable Energy (SDG 7);
Engr. Sunday Ogbor Ogar, Adjunct Senior Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Solar Energy Systems (SDG 7) and Diploma in Project Management (SDG 9); and
Mr James Adoga Idagu, Adjunct Lecturer – Coordinator, Diploma in Environmental Impact Assessment (SDG 15).
Commending their commitment, Dr Oko said, “I deeply appreciate all the Adjunct Faculty members who have accepted the voluntary responsibility of coordinating these programmes under their respective Sustainable Development Goals. Their willingness to render selfless service through education and capacity building is highly commendable.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the University’s Management in coordinating the activities of the Adjunct Faculty while serving as the critical link between SouthWest Commonwealth Eduversity UK and the African academic team to ensure effective communication, seamless implementation and the overall success of the programmes.
Dr Oko further announced that the three-month diploma programmes will commence on Monday, 3 August 2026, and conclude on Monday, 2 November 2026. Lectures will be delivered through a blended learning model combining online and face-to-face sessions.
Expressing confidence in the quality of the academic team, he said:
> “I am confident that the collective expertise, professionalism and commitment of our Adjunct Faculty will guarantee the successful implementation of these programmes and contribute significantly to human capital development and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals across Nigeria and Africa.”
He congratulated all 676 successful beneficiaries, urging them to maximise the unique opportunity by demonstrating discipline, dedication and academic excellence throughout the duration of the programmes.
