The fellowship offered scholarships for people from underserved communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Russia.
The Ford Foundation has rounded up its 10-year International Fellowship Programme, IFP, in Nigeria, with a closing event comprising of a public lecture and presentation of awards at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The International Fellowship Programme, IFP, is the largest single programme ever supported by the Ford Foundation.
Launched in 2001 with US$250 million, and a further injection of US$75 million in 2006, making a total of US$325 million, the programme offered fellowships for post graduate study to leaders from underserved communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Russia.
The IFP in Nigeria is managed by Pathfinder International with a grant channelled through the Association of African Universities, AAU.
According to Farouk Jega, the country representative for Pathfinder International Nigeria, 175 fellows were recruited into the Nigeria programme since 2001.
He also said 44 per cent are women, while 56 per cent are men. He said 11 per cent of the fellows are people with special needs.
He added that 15 per cent of those selected were enrolled for PhD Programs, while the remaining 85 per cent were for Masters and professional degrees.
"81 per cent of the fellows have completed their studies, 73 per cent have returned to Nigeria and nine per cent obtained funding after IFP to further their studies to doctoral level," he said.
Mr. Farouk also said Nigerian IFP fellows recorded 98 per cent academic success rate over the 10- year period of the programme.
He also disclosed that IFP fellows have already formed an alumni association, saying 10 of the members of the alumni association now work as university lecturers in Nigeria, South Africa, U.K. and the Netherlands.
