On September 20, 2026, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State bid farewell to 100 indigenes of the state who will pursue postgraduate studies in various disciplines in India. The governor, represented by Jethro Yakubu, Member representing Wukari I Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, spoke at a send-forth dinner organised by the state government for the beneficiaries. Kefas emphasized that the scholarship was part of his administration's investment in human capital development.
According to Governor Kefas, the beneficiaries will have employment opportunities waiting for them upon completion of their master's degree programmes. He noted that his administration regarded education as a critical investment in the future of the state. When Kefas assumed office in 2023, he met a moribund Scholarship Board and immediately took steps to revive it.
The governor recalled that his administration had made primary and secondary education free and compulsory across Taraba, while also fulfilling its commitment to reduce tuition fees in tertiary institutions by 50 per cent. The sponsorship of the 100 students represents another major milestone in the state's education agenda and marks the first time such a large number of first-class and second-class upper graduates would be sponsored for postgraduate studies abroad by the state government.
The beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit from the 16 local government areas of the state. Governor Kefas stressed that there was no godfatherism, no politics, and no connections in the selection process. The diversity of the beneficiaries reflected the transparency of the selection process.
The scholarship programme is fully funded by the Taraba State Government, covering tuition, return air tickets, accommodation, feeding, and monthly stipends throughout the duration of the students' programmes. The beneficiaries will study strategic courses, including engineering, computer science, medical and paramedical sciences, agriculture, and other critical disciplines.
Governor Kefas urged the students to return home after their studies and deploy their acquired knowledge and skills to the development of Taraba. He charged them to be good ambassadors of Taraba State and Nigeria while in India, urging them to respect the laws, culture, and traditions of their host country.
Governor Kefas thanked the parents and guardians of the beneficiaries for their sacrifices and support, assuring them that the state government would continue to prioritise the safety, welfare, and academic success of the students. He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable education for Tarabans, both within and outside the country.
Key points
- The Taraba State Government has sponsored 100 students for postgraduate studies in India, covering tuition, accommodation, and living expenses.
- The beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit from the 16 local government areas of the state.
- The governor urged the students to return home after their studies and contribute to the development of Taraba State.
