Governor Bago Cancels Proposed Foreign Scholarship for 1,000 Students, Redirects Funds to State Development

Governor Bago Cancels Proposed Foreign Scholarship for 1,000 Students, Redirects Funds to State Development

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has announced the cancellation of the proposed foreign scholarship scheme earlier planned for 1,000 students, stating that the funds will instead be redirected to developmental initiatives within the state.

Governor Bago made this known on Thursday during the matriculation ceremony for 809 newly admitted students of Abdulkadir Kure University, Minna (AKUM). The event marked a significant milestone for the young institution as it welcomed its newest cohort of students.

The governor explained that while the foreign scholarship initiative was conceived with noble intentions, the current focus of his administration is to strengthen educational infrastructure and invest in local capacity development.

 “It is not wrong for a leader to make a statement and later retract it. We had planned to send some students abroad on scholarship, but I have decided to cancel that plan. Instead, I will invest the funds right here in our state,” Bago stated.

Governor Bago further declared tuition-free education for the newly matriculated students and announced that two percent of the state’s total investments would be dedicated as an endowment fund for Abdulkadir Kure University.

He also revealed plans to construct a housing estate for the university’s staff and lecturers, and disclosed that programmes in Medicine and Medical Sciences would commence in the next academic session. In a generous gesture, the governor announced a ₦100,000 grant for each matriculating student, urging them to be worthy ambassadors of their families and communities.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of AKUM, Prof. Mohammed Aliyu, congratulated the new students and encouraged them to see their admission as the beginning of a transformative journey.

He emphasized that the university’s mission is to produce graduates equipped with practical skills and innovative mindsets capable of becoming job creators and entrepreneurs. Prof. Aliyu also commended Governor Bago for his Green Economy Initiative, which he said has attracted global recognition.

 “The university is aligning with the governor’s green economy vision by producing graduates who will drive sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, environmental science, ICT, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy,” he noted.

Source: Daily Nigerian