A United States-based organisation of Nigerians from the northern region, Zumunta Association USA Inc., has announced that it has disbursed over ₦100m in scholarships to more than 5,000 science students across the North.

Founded in 1991 in New York, Zumunta Association is a diaspora-led organisation focused on promoting development across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

In addition to scholarships, the group has implemented various community development projects including school renovations and health outreach campaigns.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the National President of the association, Sunday Bitrus, said the scholarship programme receives over 10,000 applications annually, reflecting strong demand and limited access to educational opportunities in the region.

“Our flagship Scholarship Programme has transformed the lives of over 5,000 science students in Northern Nigeria, with over ₦100m disbursed since inception. We receive more than 10,000 applications annually, a testament to the scale of need—and a call to action for donors and partners,” he noted.

Bitrus said the association collaborates with more than 30 local and international NGOs and government agencies to carry out its initiatives.

In 2024, Zumunta worked with public health institutions to provide healthcare access for vulnerable groups, targeting diseases such as malaria, typhoid, and addressing child mortality—pressing health challenges in northern communities.

The association noted that several of its members have held or currently hold prominent roles in Nigerian public service, including President Bola Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, and Minister of Health Mohammed Ali Pate.

He said, “These exemplary figures, among many others who have served in the past and will serve in the future, exemplifies the return and impact of the diaspora in building our nation.”

Zumunta also announced that its 2025 national convention will be held in Nigeria for only the second time in the association’s 35-year history.

“Considering our 35-year history, the Zumunta Association USA Inc. Board of Trustees has approved the return of our annual national convention to Nigeria—only the second time in our history,” he added.

Scheduled for July 14 to 23 in Nasarawa State, the event will coincide with the country’s National Diaspora Day and Diaspora Week.

Themed “From Connection to Action: Mobilizing Local Experience and Diasporan Insights for National Development,” the convention aims to foster collaboration between diaspora professionals and local stakeholders to advance national development.

Established as a non-partisan and non-religious platform, the association was founded under the leadership of Dr. Musa Kallam and has since grown into a prominent network for Nigerians abroad, particularly those from the North.

In her remarks, the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri-Erewa, represented by the Secretary to the Commission, Sule Yakubu Bassi, praised the association’s dedication to Nigeria through scholarships, technology access, and humanitarian outreach.

“Over the past 35 years, they have aggressively given back to the Nigerian economy,” he said. “They have built the first cyber café in Kaduna and introduced ICT up north through that cyber café.”

Bassi noted their widespread impact beyond the northern states. “Though their members are mainly from the 19 northern states of Nigeria, when it comes to projects, they cover the whole federation,” he said.

In a call to action for other diaspora organizations, Bassi said, “Let me at this particular juncture make a clarion call on behalf of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission that other Nigerian diaspora groups should study and emulate Zumunta USA Incorporated.”