In a major boost for education in Northern Nigeria, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has approved a N5 billion scholarship grant for 30,000 students from the North-West geopolitical zone. The initiative, one of the largest of its kind in the region, aims to support undergraduates in various tertiary institutions across the country.
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Key Details of the Scholarship
- Beneficiaries: 30,000 students (7,000 from Kaduna State, the rest from Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara).
- Scholarship Amount: Between ₦200,000 and ₦800,000 per student, depending on their course of study.
- Coverage: Tuition fees, textbooks, and stipends.
- Priority Fields: Medicine, Engineering, Law, and Technology.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified students from the North-West region are encouraged to apply through the official portal managed by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in partnership with Microvis Micro Finance Bank.
Application Steps:
- Visit the SMEDAN scholarship portal (link to be announced soon).
- Complete the online application form with accurate details.
- Upload required documents (admission letter, ID, proof of origin, etc.).
- Submit and await confirmation via email or SMS.
Note: Only students from the seven North-West states (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara) are eligible.
Disbursement & Partnerships
The scholarship funds were officially launched at the Federal University of Education, Zaria, with disbursements facilitated by SMEDAN and Microvis Micro Finance Bank.
Speaker Abbas’s Vision
Speaker Abbas described the program as an “unprecedented initiative” designed to uplift education in the North-West. He emphasized that the scholarship aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on human capital development.
“This is not just about financial aid; it’s about empowering the next generation of leaders, doctors, engineers, and innovators,” he stated.
Kaduna State’s Appreciation
The Kaduna State Government, represented by Alhaji Rabiu Yunusa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, commended the initiative, noting that it would “make education more accessible and affordable for young Nigerians.”
Additional Projects
Alongside the scholarship, Speaker Abbas announced plans to establish a modern orphanage in Zaria, further supporting vulnerable children in the region.
Encouragement to Beneficiaries
Recipients were urged to “work hard and maximize the opportunity,” as the scholarship comes with both privilege and responsibility.