Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has approved the release of N316 million for bursary payments to support the education of 8,750 undergraduate students from the state.
This initiative, aimed at encouraging academic excellence and reducing the financial burden on students, was announced by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Mr. Wemi Jones, during a press briefing in Lokoja.
According to Jones, over 40,000 students applied for the 2024 bursary program online. However, only 8,750 applicants successfully met the verification criteria by submitting all required documents. Of these beneficiaries, 8,549 students will each receive N30,000, totaling N256 million. Additionally, 201 Law students will be granted N300,000 each, amounting to N60.3 million.
Jones assured that the bursary payments would begin within two weeks and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to prioritizing education. He stated that the government is determined to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state.
During the event, Jones also presented a supplementary cheque of N5 million to Miss Favour Adebayo, a Kogi indigene who earned the prestigious European Union Erasmus+ Scholarship to study in Poland. The cheque, received by her father, Mr. Moses Adebayo, was meant to support her tuition, accommodation, and other educational needs.
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Afolabi Joseph-Raji, lauded the governor’s dedication to advancing education through initiatives like this bursary scheme and other scholarship programs.
He highlighted Favour’s academic achievements, noting her recognition as the best overall student during her 300 Level studies at Nasarawa State University.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Moses Adebayo thanked the governor for his continuous support, promising that his daughter would remain an ambassador of excellence for Kogi State.
