Bauchi Approves ₦800m For Student Scholarships, Sends 100 Abroad For Studies

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has approved the release of ₦945.25 million for the 2024/2025 scholarship scheme for indigenes of the state, with ₦800 million already disbursed to beneficiaries across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the National President of the National Union of Bauchi State Students (NUBASS), Bello Ibrahim, during a press briefing on Tuesday. He described the intervention as historic in both magnitude and impact.

According to him, the scholarship scheme recorded 21,901 applicants, out of which 19,546 verified beneficiaries have received a total of ₦801,263,200 across 154 tertiary institutions nationwide. He further confirmed that the outstanding ₦145,250,000 would be cleared soon.

“For too long, scholarship payment had become a matter of doubt, delay, and disappointment. Many students struggled with tuition, examinations, and basic sustenance due to irregularities in disbursement. But today, under the compassionate leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, it has become a source of renewed trust, confidence, and reassurance,” Ibrahim stated.

The NUBASS president also revealed that Governor Mohammed had recently sponsored 100 Bauchi indigenes to pursue advanced studies in China, with the first batch of students already en route. He noted that the initiative reflects the governor’s vision of equipping Bauchi youths to compete globally in science, technology, and innovation.

On issues of security within campuses, Ibrahim disclosed that the union had engaged with the Bauchi State Police Command following rising cases of insecurity around schools. He confirmed that the Commissioner of Police approved the establishment of a new police station at Wuntin Dada to protect Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic and its surrounding communities, in addition to deploying more patrols and surveillance teams around academic institutions.

He also highlighted several achievements of NUBASS under his leadership, including the renovation of the union’s secretariat, which had been abandoned for over a decade, distribution of free JAMB registration pins to indigent students, and the hosting of the first-ever EDUTECH Conference in Bauchi. The conference brought together policymakers, scholars, and students to discuss the future of digital education.

Other initiatives, he said, included state-wide student orientation programmes, consistent advocacy on scholarship matters, campus tours, and welfare interventions aimed at supporting students across the state.

Expressing appreciation to Governor Mohammed, security agencies, and the student community, Ibrahim described the scholarship programme as “an investment in human capital, the most precious asset of any society.”

He assured that the union would continue to prioritise student welfare while working with government and stakeholders to strengthen safe learning environments across Bauchi State.