By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government says it has invested over N1 billion in scholarships, student loans, and educational support programmes within the last three years as part of efforts to expand access to higher education.The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Kaduna on Thursday.
He said education remains a key pillar of Governor Uba Sani’s human capital development agenda, adding that the administration has implemented several interventions to reduce financial pressure on students. According to him, the government signed an Executive Order reducing tuition fees by 50 per cent across all state-owned tertiary institutions to make higher education more affordable.
Maiyaki revealed that N493.27 million was spent on overseas scholarships for 42 students studying courses such as medicine, engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity. He added that N425.52 million was disbursed for local scholarships to indigent students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria, while N105 million was committed to a student loan scheme.
He also said N27.25 million was paid to support law graduates with Nigerian Law School registration fees.The commissioner said the combined interventions reflect the administration’s commitment to removing financial barriers to education and building a skilled workforce for economic growth and innovation.
Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, Professor Yahaya Saleh Ibrahim, said over 21,000 students have benefited from the scheme across more than 40 higher institutions, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and nursing schools.
He said Kaduna State has become the first in Nigeria to implement both scholarship and student loan schemes on a large scale, describing the initiative as a model for educational support in the country.
A beneficiary, Al’Ameen Abdul Waheed, a student of Kaduna State University, described the programme as a relief for students and families, saying it has eased the burden of tuition payments. He expressed appreciation to the state government for sustaining the initiative and supporting students’ academic pursuits.
