Over 136,000 Katsina Students Benefit from N1.9 Billion Scholarship Disbursement

The Katsina State Government has fulfilled its commitment to supporting higher education by completing the disbursement of N1.9 billion in outstanding scholarship allowances to 136,175 indigent students studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal made this announcement during a press briefing on Friday, where he outlined the administration’s significant achievements in the education sector. Emphasising education as a cornerstone of Governor Dikko Radda’s administration, Lawal reaffirmed the government’s dedication to providing financial support to students in need.

The scholarship payments cover both new and continuing students for the academic sessions spanning 2020/2021 to 2023/2024.

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As part of its efforts to promote educational excellence, the state government has approved the recruitment of first-class degree graduates into permanent and pensionable positions. Additionally, an academic excellence award programme has been introduced to recognise and encourage outstanding students.

Over 136,000 Katsina Students Benefit from N1.9 Billion Scholarship Disbursement

“A total of 210 tertiary institutions’ students with Cumulative Grade Point Averages (CGPA) ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 were recognised and awarded with certificates, plaques, and N50,000 cash each,” Lawal stated.

In a further move to enhance the education sector, the government has upgraded the Department of Higher Education to a full-fledged ministry and provided substantial support to tertiary institutions to improve their academic environments.

Lawal highlighted key infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening higher education institutions in the state. He disclosed that the government spent N314.6 million to restore electricity at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), while an additional N98.2 million was allocated for the installation of solar-powered security lights to enhance campus safety and promote renewable energy solutions.

To ensure the smooth accreditation of academic programmes in state-owned tertiary institutions, the government provided N135.9 million for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions in compliance with the National Universities Commission (NUC) standards.

Further investments in education include extensive renovation projects, such as refurbishing student hostels and upgrading the radio and television studios of the Mass Communication Department at Hassan Usman Polytechnic, Katsina.

The Katsina State Government has also channelled significant resources into secondary education through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE). So far, N13.7 billion has been allocated for constructing 75 new junior and senior secondary schools, along with renovations and the procurement of teaching materials.

Under this initiative, each of the 75 schools has received a N23 million special grant—amounting to a total of N1.725 billion—for repairs and infrastructure enhancements. The programme’s second phase, involving the construction of 77 additional schools, is currently underway at a cost exceeding N36 billion.

Additionally, ongoing repairs to 578 schools, including the provision of water supply and sanitation facilities, have been carried out at an estimated cost of over N21 billion. Further efforts under AGILE include the distribution of digital learning tools, solar-powered energy systems, and instructional materials to thousands of students.

Recognising the importance of girl-child education, the government has also provided conditional cash transfers to 104,111 girls to boost their enrolment and retention in schools. Various programmes, in collaboration with UNICEF, continue to support this initiative, ensuring more girls have access to quality education and empowerment opportunities.

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