The Nasarawa State Government has commenced the disbursement of more than N592 million in bursary allowances to 16,756 indigent students studying at various tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This initiative is part of the state’s ongoing commitment to improving education and supporting its youth.
Governor Sule highlights education as a top priority
Governor Abdullahi Sule spoke at the inauguration of the bursary disbursement on Thursday in Akwanga Local Government Area. He emphasized that education remains a central focus of his administration’s agenda, underscoring this by allocating 36 percent of the 2025 state budget to the sector.
The governor also revealed that the state government has restored international scholarships, currently sponsoring 155 students pursuing various courses abroad. In addition, Nasarawa supports nursing students and others attending Nigerian universities to build essential manpower for the state’s future development.
To alleviate financial burdens on families, the government paid the 2025 National Examination Council (NECO) registration fees for over 24,000 secondary school students in public schools across the state.
Governor Sule directed the scholarship board to begin preparations for the 2025/2026 academic session bursary allowances, ensuring continued support for students.
Scholarship board ensures transparency and proper selection
Hajiya Sa’adatu Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, expressed gratitude to the governor for his unwavering support. She explained that the bursary application process was conducted through an online portal, with 25,000 students applying in total.
Following a screening process, 17,762 applicants were shortlisted. After a physical verification exercise, 2,006 applicants were found to be ineligible, having ceased to be students. These individuals were delisted, leaving 16,756 students qualified to receive bursary support.
The board refunded N122,108 to the state government for the ineligible applicants, demonstrating commitment to transparency and accountability.
Beneficiaries received between N30,000 and N90,000 each, depending on their course of study. Yahaya assured that the scholarship board would maintain high standards of integrity in managing the bursary program as directed by the governor.
Students’ appreciation and future outlook
Representing the beneficiaries, Ovey Abimiku, National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), thanked Governor Sule for the generous support. He pledged that the bursary funds would be used responsibly to advance their education and academic goals.
This bursary disbursement is expected to relieve financial pressures on many students and their families, enabling more youths to pursue higher education with less hardship. It also reflects the state government’s broader strategy to invest in education as a foundation for long-term social and economic development.
