Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has announced the approval and disbursement of over N2bn as bursary to 38,580 indigent students studying in various tertiary institutions within and outside the country.
The governor made the disclosure on Thursday during the official flag-off of the bursary payments in Akwanga Local Government Area.
Sule said the scholarship scheme underscored his administration’s commitment to promoting education and empowering the next generation of leaders.
He added that the state was also sponsoring 50 Nursing and Nidwifery students at the flagship School of Nursing and Sciences in Bichi, Kano State, alongside other institutions nationwide.
Highlighting other interventions, the governor explained that the state government had paid 100 per cent of NECO registration fees for all students in Nasarawa, irrespective of ethnic, religious, or financial backgrounds.
“Education is key. It is very important that we all have education. You know, without proper education, you can do nothing.
“We have also so far disbursed over N2bn that is going for this scholarship disbursement. We have over 38,580 students who have been sponsored right now to various institutions within Nigeria, and we will continue.
“We have about 155 students who are studying outside Nigeria from Nasarawa State. When I came in as a governor, we didn’t have the opportunity to have enough of scholarship. I am happy that today, we are paying the 2023/2024 bursary,” Sule stated.
He further revealed that preparations were already underway for the 2025 bursary scheme, urging beneficiaries to use the funds strictly for their education and to grow into sincere, prudent, and transparent leaders for the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Dr John Mamman, congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them not to take the gesture for granted.
Mamman highlighted the ongoing Agile Programme, a World Bank–assisted initiative in collaboration with the state government, which seeks to drive community-led educational development.
He explained that 80 per cent of the funds released under the programme would go directly to school-based communities, benefiting no fewer than 490 schools.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the State Scholarship Board, Sa’adatu Yahaya, described the bursary disbursement as proof of the government’s unwavering dedication to fostering academic excellence and empowering deserving students.
According to her, the scheme has provided critical financial support and motivation for students to excel academically.
She expressed gratitude to Governor Sule, noting that his “visionary leadership has been instrumental in transforming the educational landscape of the state.”
