Kebbi Is the Only State in Nigeria Offering Free Education and Scholarships – Governor Idris

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has said that Kebbi remains the only state in Nigeria providing completely free education and scholarships to students studying both within and outside the country.

He made this statement during a courtesy visit by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students’ Matters, Mr. Sunday Dare, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr. Dare was accompanied by the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr. Olusola Oladejo. The student delegation was in Kebbi to inaugurate the newly elected executives of the Kebbi National Students’ Association.

Governor Idris disclosed that his administration had recently paid ₦2.7 billion to settle tuition fees for students across tertiary institutions both in Nigeria and abroad.

“It might interest you to note that it is only Kebbi that offers total free education in Nigeria,” the governor said.

“We pay tuition fees for all our students from primary to secondary and tertiary levels. Recently, I paid ₦2.7 billion in tuition fees for students studying within and outside the country.”

He explained that the state government offers full scholarships to all students to reduce the financial burden on parents, particularly during a time when many institutions have increased their tuition fees.

“Some parents have more than three children in higher institutions. If the fees are too high, they may not be able to afford it. That’s why we have taken up the responsibility of providing free education and scholarships for all our students.”

Governor Idris also noted that the monthly feeding allowance for students in boarding schools had been increased from ₦150 million to ₦300 million.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of education, the governor revealed that his administration had lifted the embargo on employment and recruited around 5,000 qualified teachers.

He added that over 2,000 primary and secondary schools had been rehabilitated, and more than 340 new schools constructed across the state.

On infrastructure, Governor Idris praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting Kebbi State in road construction efforts. He highlighted the 1,008-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway as one of the administration’s major projects, with Kebbi benefiting from about 280 kilometres of the road.

The governor also commended the revocation of the 87-kilometre Koko-Zuru road contract, which now allows the state to take over the project for faster execution, with plans for federal reimbursement.

Idris applauded President Tinubu’s introduction of the student loan scheme and said Kebbi State is fully aligning with the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

In his remarks, Mr. Sunday Dare commended Kebbi State for implementing free education and scholarship programs, while the NANS President, Mr. Oladejo, praised the state government for constructing four mega schools, spread across the state’s four emirates.