Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda on Wednesday canceled the 2024/2025 scholarship and award ceremony, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensure that no child in the state is denied access to education due to financial constraints.
Speaking at a ceremony in Katsina, Rada revealed that his administration has invested over N2.6 billion in scholarships and bursary support, benefiting thousands of students locally and internationally.
According to the governor, “When we took office, we solemnly vowed that economic hardship should never deprive the children of Katsina State of their right to education. Today, we thank Allah for guiding our administration to fulfill this promise with integrity and results.”
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Rada said his administration had introduced the Academic Excellence Award to recognize hard work, noting that many of the beneficiaries are now first-class graduates with stable employment.
He expressed pride in the state’s growing global education footprint, revealing that Katsina’s sons and daughters from all 34 local governments are now studying artificial intelligence, biotechnology and medicine abroad through transparent merit-based sponsorship.
“These are strategic investments in health, technology, innovation and leadership that, when returned, will strengthen our institutions, improve healthcare, enhance technology adoption and build a stronger Katsina State that can compete globally,” he said.
The governor also commissioned new facilities to the Katsina State Scholarships Commission to enhance operational efficiency, improve working conditions and ensure better service delivery.
Radda announced that the government will work to establish a scholarship trust fund to ensure sustainability across administrations.
He acknowledged the commission’s desire to set up a state-of-the-art computer-based testing (CBT) center on its premises, saying it was a well-thought-out idea in line with the state’s digital transformation agenda.
Earlier, the Katsina State Scholarship Board Secretary-General, Mr. Aminu Salisu Tsauri, disclosed that N677.57 million had been allocated for the 2024/2025 academic year, with expenditures so far supporting tens of thousands of students across multiple sessions.
He said more than N200 million benefited medical and health students and more than N300 million supported students studying in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Salisu Tsauri added that the board, as part of its corporate social responsibility, has reintegrated out-of-school children by providing them with uniforms, books and other educational materials.
The Director-General praised Governor Radda for increasing the Council’s budget from £500 million to £1 billion and then to £9 billion in 2026, calling the move revolutionary.
