By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has confirmed that Governor Uba Sani’s administration invested over N1 billion in scholarships, student loans and educational support programmes over the past three years, significantly widening access to higher education and reducing financial pressure on students.
The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Kaduna, describing education as a cornerstone of the governor’s human capital development agenda.
He noted that an Executive Order cutting tuition fees by 50 per cent across all state-owned tertiary institutions was among the administration’s landmark interventions, aimed at making higher education more affordable for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
According to Maiyaki, the government spent N493.27 million on overseas scholarships for 42 students pursuing critical fields such as medicine, computer science, cybersecurity and engineering. A further N425.52 million was disbursed in local scholarships to indigent students nationwide. The administration also committed N105 million to its student loan scheme and released N27.25 million to support law graduates with Nigerian Law School registration fees.
The Commissioner said the combined impact of fee reductions, scholarships and loans reflects Governor Sani’s commitment to removing financial barriers, strengthening human capital, and creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders and professionals in Kaduna State.
The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, Professor Yahaya Saleh Ibrahim, added that the scholarship programme has benefited over 21,106 students across more than 40 higher institutions, including federal and state universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, health technology and nursing schools.
“Kaduna became the first state in Nigeria to provide both scholarships and student loans, expanding access to higher education for thousands of young people,” he said. He highlighted the scheme’s flexible repayment structure, which allows beneficiaries to choose plans that suit their circumstances, preventing overwhelming financial burdens.
One beneficiary, Al’Ameen Abdul Waheed, a Geography student at Kaduna State University (KASU), said: “My parents and I no longer have to worry about paying my tuition fees because I know the Kaduna State Scholarship Scheme will support my education. This has lifted a huge burden from my family.”