Nigerian wins prestigious 7Up Harvard scholarship

Leading beverage brand, 7Up, has unveiled Ms. Boluwatife Akinola as the 14th recipient of its prestigious 7Up Harvard Business School scholarship award.

Ms. Akinola was unveiled during an exclusive ceremony held at the Seven-Up Bottling Company headquarters on Saturday in Ijora, Lagos.

The fully-funded MBA scholarship at the world-renowned Harvard Business School in Boston, Massachusetts, is awarded annually by Seven-Up Bottling Company to a Nigerian resident who has been admitted to HBS for an MBA program but lacks the financial means to pursue it.

A statement from the company on Sunday indicated that the selection process involves a thorough and competitive screening, with the winner chosen based on a set of criteria determined by the management of Seven-Up Bottling Company.

Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs at SBC, Mrs. Nkemdirm Agboti, commended the Chairman of SBC, Mr. Faysal El-Khalil, for initiating the 7Up Harvard Business School Scholarship.

She also expressed gratitude to the Managing Director, Mr. Ziad Maalouf, for sustaining and expanding the initiative.

Speaking on the scholarship, the Chief Marketing Officer of SBC, Mr. Norden Thurston, emphasised the company’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians.

He said, “By providing ordinary Nigerians with extraordinary access and exposure to one of the world’s leading educational institutions, we are not only equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to make a substantial impact on our society but also inspiring them to drive innovation and change in diverse sectors for a better society.”

The Managing Director, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Ziad Maalouf, noted that the scholarship is designed to nurture a pool of globally educated Nigerians who will contribute significantly to the nation’s development.

In his charge to the recipient, Mr. Maalouf encouraged Ms. Akinola to “go, spread your wings, learn, and develop. However, it is important to return home to make a difference in Nigeria, and SBC will support you in making that difference. By empowering young minds like yourself, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

Since its inception, the scholarship has recognised and supported outstanding individuals who have gone on to achieve remarkable successes.

Expressing her gratitude, Akinola, the 2024 scholarship recipient, said, “I am deeply honoured to receive the 7Up Harvard Business School scholarship. This opportunity is a dream come true, and I am committed to using my education to make a significant impact in Nigeria by returning to contribute my quota in reducing the number of out-of-school children. I am grateful to SBC for believing in my potential and providing me with this platform to contribute to the betterment of our society.”

Seven-Up Bottling Company continues to guarantee a brighter future for Nigeria by inspiring and enabling young Nigerians through various initiatives such as SME Scale Up, Pepsi Football Academy, and Pepsi Music Academy, among others.