A cross section of the beneficiaries
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno on Friday presented a N4.5b cheque for payment of scholarship to 524 indigent postgraduate students studying in Nigeria and abroad.
The scholarship is for students undergoing masters degree and Phd in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Zulum said that the gesture was in line with his administration’s commitment to education, 10-point agenda and 25-year development plan.
According to Zulum, N241m and N141m are for tuition fees of 241 master’s students and 94 Ph.D students respectively studying in Nigeria.
“₦1.1b is the tuition fees of 147 Master’s degree candidates studying abroad, while ₦286.3m is the tuition fees of 42 Ph.D candidates studying abroad.
“It is imperative to emphasize that with great opportunities come great responsibilities. Scholarship recipients must recognize this rare opportunity and approach their academic pursuits with diligence and dedication.
“We expect each of you to demonstrate a strong commitment to your studies and, subsequently, to any professional roles you undertake,” Zulum said.
He assured any student studying masters of scholarship to conduct his or her masters.
The governor also announced a plan to sponsor about 100 students to China within the year to go and study Chinese language, medicine, AI and robotics among others.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Wakilbe, also reiterated the administration’s commitment to education pointing out that a well-educated and skilled population remain fundamental to the progress and prosperity of the state.
“By investing in the education of our citizens, we are laying a robust foundation for a brighter, and more prosperous future for generations to come.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Borno State Scholarship Board, Mallam Bala Isa, said a total of 3,759 students applied for the postgraduate scholarships in STEM out of which 602 candidates appeared for screening with 524 emerging successful.
“Among the successful applicants, 136 will undertake Ph.D. programmes, while 388 will pursue master’s degree programs. Furthermore, 335 candidates will study within Nigeria and 189 will study abroad,” Isa said.
