The Katsina State Executive Council has approved a scholarship programme for 1,700 outstanding students across the state. The initiative is aimed at supporting the best-performing candidates in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
Under the programme, the top 50 students from each of the 34 local government areas will receive scholarships to pursue higher education in key professional fields. The beneficiaries will study courses such as Nursing and Health Sciences, Engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Agricultural Sciences, and Education in state-owned Colleges of Education, Colleges of Health Sciences, and Polytechnics.
The announcement followed the council’s fifth regular meeting, where officials said the programme is designed to reward academic excellence and encourage more students to pursue careers in sectors considered vital to the state’s development.
Bashir Tanimu, the Commissioner for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, explained that the scholarship targets students who have demonstrated strong academic performance in national examinations.
“The scholarship will benefit the top 50 students from each of the 34 local government areas who excelled in the NECO and WAEC examinations,” Tanimu said. “The aim is to ensure that talented students across the state have access to quality higher education.”
According to the government, the scholarship scheme will focus on courses that address workforce gaps and strengthen professional capacity within the state.
Yusuf Suleiman, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve educational outcomes and create more opportunities for young people.
“This programme is designed to support students who have shown academic excellence and to guide them towards disciplines that are important for the state’s long-term growth,” Suleiman said.
State officials noted that by selecting the best students from each local government area, the programme will ensure fair representation and encourage healthy academic competition among secondary school students across Katsina.
