Ododo Approves N646.8m Bursary for Kogi Students

a significant boost to higher education accessibility and youth empowerment, the Kogi State Government has approved the disbursement of N646.8 million in bursary awards to 20,157 students across various tertiary institutions nationwide. The landmark initiative underscores Governor Usman Ododo’s administration’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing student welfare and alleviating the financial burdens associated with tertiary education.

The official flag-off of the disbursement ceremony, held recently at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Lokoja, marked a major milestone in the state’s educational intervention programs. During the event, Governor Ododo, represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, announced a substantial upward review of the bursary allowances. Under the new framework, the allowance for undergraduate students has been increased from N12,000 to N30,000, while medical students will now receive a significantly enhanced sum of N75,000, up from the previous N30,000.

Governor Ododo emphasized that the welfare of students remains a top-tier priority for his administration. He assured the student community that the Kogi State Scholarship Board has been strategically positioned to ensure a transparent, merit-based, and inclusive selection process for all qualified indigenes studying across Nigerian higher institutions. 

“We will continue to prioritize the welfare of our students at all times,” the Governor stated through his representative. He further commended the federal government’s efforts, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), urging students to leverage these combined state and federal interventions to pursue their academic goals to the highest possible levels.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Dr. Afolabi Raji, lauded Governor Ododo’s magnanimity, describing the latest upward review as a transformative development. Dr. Raji highlighted that the current bursary rates represent an increase of over 150 percent compared to the 2024 figures. He noted that since the revitalization of the Scholarship Board, the administration has introduced several innovations to streamline the application and verification processes, ensuring that genuine students benefit without bureaucratic bottlenecks.

Dr. Raji revealed that the transparency of the recent cycle attracted massive participation, with over 20,000 students applying online. Following a rigorous due diligence screening exercise, the final list of beneficiaries was compiled to ensure equitable distribution of the N646.8 million fund. He assured the beneficiaries that the disbursement would be executed seamlessly, with funds credited directly to their designated accounts to prevent any form of exploitation or delay.

The student community has responded to the development with widespread acclaim. The outgoing National President of the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Sunday Adeola, expressed profound gratitude to Governor Ododo for his proactive and student-centric policies. Adeola described the increased bursary as a timely relief that will significantly ease the financial strain on many families grappling with economic realities.

“We laud the governor for his magnanimity and commitment to the youth,” Adeola stated. “The student community remains committed to engaging the government in a positive, constructive manner, and NAKOSS will continue to support the state government’s developmental agenda.” However, Adeola also issued a gentle appeal, urging the state government to consider extending this financial support to Kogi State students attending the Nigerian Law School and other specialized higher institutions.

This latest educational intervention by the Kogi State Government aligns with broader national efforts to reverse declining enrollment and high dropout rates in Nigerian tertiary institutions. By substantially increasing financial support and streamlining the scholarship process, Governor Ododo’s administration is investing in human capital development and fostering a more educated, skilled, and economically resilient future for the state. As the funds begin to reflect in students' accounts, the initiative stands as a tangible testament to the government’s pledge to make quality education a reality for all indigenes, regardless of financial background.