Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has launched a N400 million bursary and scholarship programme for 13,360 students of Ondo State origin. The beneficiaries include 11,907 bursary recipients, 614 scholarship beneficiaries, 239 Law School students, 500 medical students undergoing clinical training, and 100 physically challenged students. The programme aims to ensure that financial constraints do not hinder the educational aspirations of deserving students.
According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, education is a strategic investment in the future of Ondo State, and his administration regards it as a key component of its "OUR EASE" development agenda. The 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation has made substantial provisions for the education sector. The governor also disclosed that his administration has commenced the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools and distributed digital tablets to students in 50 public schools as part of its Digital Literacy Programme.
The Digital Literacy Programme is designed to equip students with the skills required to compete in an increasingly technology-driven economy. Aiyedatiwa also mentioned that his administration is investing in teachers and has recently recognised outstanding students, teachers, and NYSC award recipients for their contributions. Furthermore, steps have commenced towards transforming Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into the proposed University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo (UNASTO).
The proposed University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo (UNASTO) aims to strengthen education and research in agriculture, science, and technology, supporting the state's economic transformation. Aiyedatiwa's administration has also approved the establishment of a College of Nursing in Igbokoda and a College of Education in Aboto, with efforts ongoing to ensure their take-off. The governor described the N400 million intervention as more than financial assistance, emphasising his administration's commitment to ensuring that no deserving Ondo student is forced to abandon education due to financial hardship.
In a special intervention, Aiyedatiwa approved a scholarship for the son of Comrade Mary Ogunga, a former student leader who died in July before her final Bar examination. The governor also directed that the child be enrolled in the state's bursary scheme, despite not yet being a tertiary institution student. Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, described the programme as a demonstration of the governor's commitment to education, student welfare, and human capital development.
Ajibefun disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had also released N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 WASSCE registration fees for students in public secondary schools across the state. The governor had approved the immediate implementation of the Federal Government agreement on the new salary structure for workers in the state's tertiary institutions, alongside an increase in subvention to enable the institutions to implement the structure.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Scholarship, Samad Orijeminiyi, disclosed that the state is considering a dedicated mobile application to create a digital registry of indigenes studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. The application would identify, verify, and centralise students' profiles while serving as a scholarship management system designed to make student support more reliable and reduce fraud.
Key points
- The programme has 13,360 beneficiaries, including 11,907 bursary recipients and 614 scholarship beneficiaries.
- The governor released N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 WASSCE registration fees for students in public secondary schools.
- Aiyedatiwa's administration has commenced the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools and distributed digital tablets to students in 50 public schools.
