Governor Umaru Dikko Radda of Katsina State has demonstrated his administration’s commitment to the advancement of education by flagging off the disbursement of N744 million scholarships to students in tertiary institutions across the state.
The ceremony, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), marked a significant step in reducing the financial burden on the students and empowering them to achieve academic excellence.
Speaking at the event, Governor Radda highlighted the administration’s efforts in making education accessible and inclusive.
He said the scholarship disbursement was part of a broader initiative that included launching special scholarships for students with disabilities and awarding academic excellence to outstanding performers.
“This event is a testament to our commitment to making education the cornerstone of development in Katsina State. We are determined to ensure that every child, regardless of his or her background, has the opportunity to access quality education,” the governor said.
He urged the students to embrace discipline, hard work and integrity, and called on development partners to support Katsina’s educational transformation.
“Education is the foundation for societal progress. Together, we can ensure that no child is left behind in our quest for academic excellence,” he added.
The N744 million being disbursed will cover bursary allowances for both fresh and continuing students for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions. Each student received N50,000 from the governor’s personal donation.
According to the executive secretary of the Katsina State Scholarship Board, Dr Aminu Salisu Tsauri, the funds would benefit tens of thousands of students studying in 159 tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Tsauri commended the governor for addressing the outstanding bursary payments dating back to 2019, totalling over N1.9 billion. He emphasised that the administration’s efforts had positively impacted over 236,000 students to date.
Governor Radda’s administration has also extended its educational support to international scholarships. Forty-one students were sponsored to study medicine in Egypt, with seven ranking among the top 10 in their respective universities.
Additionally, 68 students are pursuing specialised courses such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology in Chinese institutions, with full funding from the state government.
“We are committed to equipping our youths with the skills and knowledge to compete globally. This investment in education is not just for today but for the future of Katsina State,” he said.
The disbursement ceremony also witnessed significant contributions from philanthropists and stakeholders. Alhaji Dahiru Usman, CEO of Danmarna Petroleum, donated N20,000 each to high-performing students and those affected by banditry.
Similarly, AA Rahamawa provided financial assistance to top-scoring students and those from banditry-affected areas, while Tukur Tigili, the general manager of Katsina State Water Board, supported 26 students with personal donations.
These partnerships underscore the collaborative spirit driving educational development in Katsina.
Earlier, the commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr Isa Muhammad, praised the governor for his transformative approach to addressing educational challenges.
Among the achievements are the recruitment of 7,335 teachers, infrastructure renovations, the provision of solar-powered electricity and enhancement of security in tertiary institutions.
The initiative has been widely welcomed by the beneficiaries, such as Fedausi Asimen, a special education student at UMYU, who expressed gratitude to the governor for the support, saying it would ease her financial challenges.
Similarly, Ahmed Maharazu appreciated the bursary, noting that it would help him cover transportation costs and buy essential items.
The disbursement of N744 million underscores the Katsina State government’s commitment to investing in the future of its youth, laying the foundation for a more prosperous and inclusive society.