The Kogi State Government has initiated the disbursement of bursary allowances to 20,347 verified students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. This is part of the second season of the students' support program under Governor Ododo's administration. The program aims to provide financial assistance to students in need. The bursary scheme was revived after being inactive since 2019.
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Afolabi Joseph-Raji, addressed the gathering at the Government House in Lokoja. He disclosed that the bursary allowance has been increased by 150 percent. Under the new scheme, students will receive N30,000 each, while medical students will receive N75,000 each, up from N18,000 previously.
The application process for the bursary has been made free, paperless, online, and transparent. Previously, students had to pay N650 for scratch cards to access the portal, but this practice has been abolished. In the 2024/2025 session, the Board disbursed N256.4 million to 8,549 undergraduates and N60.3 million to Law School students.
The Kogi State Scholarship Board has acquired a seven-seater utility vehicle to facilitate campus verification and enhance its operations. The Board has also introduced the Governor Ododo Campus Quiz Challenge and the Radio Quiz Challenge. These initiatives aim to engage students and provide additional opportunities for them to benefit from the program.
A total of 20,347 students have been screened and verified for the 2025/2026 bursary. The payment will be made in phases, starting with students in institutions within Kogi State. Students in over 300 institutions outside the state will receive their payments in the second tranche.
The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, commended the leadership of the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS) for their patience and cooperation. He highlighted that education has the highest allocation in the state budget at 30 percent, demonstrating the governor's commitment to education.
The Kogi State government has implemented various interventions to support students, including payment of Common Entrance, Basic Six, BECE, WAEC for SS3 students in public schools, and NABTEB for technical college students. The government has also provided free CBT training for SS3 students.
Key points
- The Kogi State Government has launched a bursary program for 20,347 students in tertiary institutions.
- The bursary allowance has been increased by 150 percent, with students receiving N30,000 each and medical students receiving N75,000 each.
- The application process has been made free, paperless, online, and transparent, with the aim of providing financial assistance to students in need.
