Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has commenced the disbursement of N394.55 million as bursary allowances for the year 2022-2023 to 10,000 indigenous students studying at various institutions of learning across the country.

Governor Sule, while flagging off the exercise at the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic (IMAP) in Lafia, explained that the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents and students due to the prevailing economic challenges.

Sule, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Aliyu Uban-Doma, disclosed that no fewer than 8,000 students had benefitted from the 2020-2021 exercise across the state, including indigents who are also schooling outside the state.

He said, “A total sum of N394,559,694.41 has been approved and would be disbursed to over 10,000 students studying at various institutions of learning across the country.

“Our administration has sustained efforts in supporting students’ bursary in order to ease the financial burden on parents and assist those in dire need of support in their various fields of study,” the governor added.

He said the scholarship board had adopted the e-payment method for the disbursement of the bursary allowance in order to entrench probity and guard against fraudulent activities.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the education sector, adding that, “This is based on our conviction that building sound and quality education enhanced socio-economic development of any society.”

Sa’adatu Yahya, the Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Scholarship Board, applauded the governor for sustaining the regular provision of the bursary allowance to students.

“This benevolence will continue to add value to the educational pursuit and go a long way to cushion the hardship faced by students,” she said.

Hussein Abubakar-Eya, President, Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA), who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the governor for his fatherly support and for prioritizing the education sector in the state.