University of Port Harcourt Selects 30 Candidates for TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship Consideration for 2026/2027

By Evaline Acan

The University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), Nigeria, has selected 30 candidates for the TAGDev 2.0 scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year, following a multi-stage application, screening, and validation process.

The scholarships are offered under the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) programme, implemented in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the Mastercard Foundation. The programme seeks to expand access to inclusive, transformative higher education and equip young Africans with the knowledge and skills to contribute to agricultural transformation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.

For the 2026/2027 academic year, UniPort received 246 applications, of which 237 met the eligibility requirements. A total of 122 applicants had secured admission, while 76 candidates progressed to the validation stage. Following validation, 70 candidates were confirmed, and 30 were selected for consideration for the scholarships.

Of the 30 candidates selected, 21 are female (70%) and nine are male (30%). The selection also includes six refugees, representing 20% of the candidates, and one person with a disability, representing approximately 3%.

Through TAGDev 2.0, the University of Port Harcourt is contributing to a broader shift in Africa’s development trajectory by investing in a generation capable of reducing the continent’s dependence on external expertise, imported technologies, and externally driven solutions. The programme offers an opportunity to strengthen local innovation ecosystems, promote homegrown enterprises, and connect university knowledge with the needs of industry and communities. By empowering young Africans to harness local resources, generate economic opportunities, and translate research into practical solutions, TAGDev 2.0 positions higher education as a catalyst for greater self-reliance, economic resilience, and Africa-led development.

The University and RUFORUM congratulates all candidates who advanced through the selection process and acknowledges the collective efforts of those involved in the application, screening, and validation exercise. More than an investment in individual academic success, TAGDev 2.0 represents a broader commitment to a new generation of graduates whose success will be measured not only by the qualifications they earn, but by the enterprises they establish, the livelihoods they improve, and the lasting contributions they make to Africa’s agricultural transformation and sustainable development.

Below is the list of the awardees