OPM Reviews Scholarship Scheme

Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the founder and general overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM) Worldwide, has revealed that his ministry is reviewing its Overseas University Scholarship Scheme due to the high exchange rate. The decision was made after the high exchange rate negatively affected the program. During his visit to the National Open University of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Study Centre, the clergyman stated that the fees paid for one student in the United States per year could train 1,000 students at the National Open University of Nigeria.

Chinyere further explained that due to the high exchange rate of the US dollars, they are making significant changes in their scholarship scheme. He mentioned that in one of their universities in the United States, they pay $45,000, which is almost N20,000,000 for one student alone in one year. However, they have just discovered that it costs less than N150,000 to train one student per session at NOUN. Thus, bringing their students back to NOUN is more advantageous to them because they can sponsor more students with less funds compared to what is happening abroad.

Apostle Chinyere urged scholarship beneficiaries studying in the USA, Canada, The UK, Poland, Germany, Turkey, Cyprus, etc., to contact their matrons for arrangements to move their credits to the National Open University of Nigeria or their chosen university in Benin Republic. He noted that if they do not want to relocate back, they are on their own. The policy review, however, does not affect scholarship beneficiaries studying in African universities in Ghana, Mauritius, Benin Republic, South Africa, etc.

The cleric reiterated that his biggest dream is to provide education for the less privileged in society. However, due to the economy, his hands are tied. While the decision to withdraw their students abroad is painful, it is necessary for them to continue to sponsor more students with less funds.