Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, on Tuesday flagged off the 2024/2025 Bursary Allowances and Award Presentation, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no child in the state is denied access to education because of financial constraints.
Speaking at the ceremony in Katsina, Governor Radda disclosed that his administration has invested over ₦2.6 billion in scholarships and bursary support, reaching thousands of students studying within Nigeria and abroad. He said education remains a core pillar of his government’s development agenda, describing it as the most reliable path to long-term growth and social stability.
“When we assumed office, we made a solemn pledge that financial hardship should never deprive a child of Katsina State the right to education. Today, we thank Allah that He has guided our administration to fulfil this promise with sincerity and results,” the Governor stated.
Governor Radda revealed that his administration introduced the Academic Excellence Award to recognise and celebrate academic hard work and discipline. He noted that several beneficiaries of the award are now proud First-Class graduates who have secured employment, adding that the initiative is meant to inspire students to aim for excellence rather than mediocrity.
He further disclosed that the government established the Special Needs Scholarship to promote fairness, dignity and equal opportunity for students living with disabilities, ensuring that inclusion and compassion remain central to the state’s education system.
“Beyond formal education, our administration is supporting Islamic learning and moral upbringing, including learning centres hosted within mosques benefitting more than 200 students without cost,” the Governor said.
Governor Radda also expressed pride in Katsina State’s growing global educational footprint. He disclosed that sons and daughters of the state from all 34 Local Government Areas are currently studying courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Bioengineering and Medicine abroad through transparent and merit-based sponsorship.
“These are strategic investments in health, technology, innovation and leadership. When they return, they will strengthen our institutions, improve healthcare, enhance technology adoption and build a stronger Katsina State capable of competing globally,” he stated.
The Governor commended the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), federal lawmakers, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Local Government Chairmen and philanthropists for partnering with the government to support students throughout their educational journey.
He praised the Katsina State Scholarship Board under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Dr. Aminu Salisu-Tsauri, and other Board Members for what he described as exceptional accountability, innovation, transparency and service excellence.
“Your prudence in resource management, welfare prioritization and strategic expansion clearly demonstrates integrity and institutional strength. I am exceptionally proud of you,” Governor Radda said.
During the event, the Governor commissioned new facilities at the Scholarship Board to strengthen operational efficiency, improve staff working conditions and ensure better service delivery to students. He described the infrastructure upgrade as part of his administration’s broader reform agenda aimed at modernising public institutions across the state.
Governor Radda charged beneficiaries of the bursary and awards to work hard, remain disciplined, stay focused and excel in their studies, reminding them of their responsibility to their families, the state and their faith.
“This support is not an end; it is an opportunity. Do not waste this trust. Strive to be among those elevated through knowledge and faith,” the Governor stated.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining scholarship programmes and human capacity development, disclosing that the government has significantly increased the budgetary allocation and institutional strength of the Scholarship Board. He announced that the government is committed to establishing a Scholarship Trust Fund to guarantee sustainability of the programme beyond his administration.
Governor Radda also acknowledged a request for the establishment of a modern Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre within the Scholarship Board premises, describing it as a well-thought-out idea that aligns with the state’s digital transformation agenda.
Earlier in his address, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Scholarship Board, Dr. Aminu Salisu-Tsauri, disclosed that ₦677.57 million has been dedicated to the 2024/2025 academic year alone, while previous disbursements have supported tens of thousands of students across multiple academic sessions.
He revealed that over ₦200 million has been invested in supporting medical and health-related students, while more than ₦300 million has gone into funding students studying in Nigeria and in the diaspora.
Dr. Salisu-Tsauri stated that the Academic Excellence Award, now in its third consecutive year, has become a strong symbol of meritocracy and academic excellence, with several beneficiaries securing automatic employment based on their performance.
He also announced that the Board has reintegrated out-of-school children into the education system by supporting them with uniforms, books and other essential learning materials as part of its corporate social responsibility.
The Board honoured several distinguished individuals and organisations whose generosity has reinforced government efforts. These include ALGON as a major funding partner, Eng. Tukur Hassan Tingilin, Eng. Abubakar Matazu, Alhaji Dahiru Usman Sarki, Alhaji Aminu Rahama, Gwagware Foundation, Lamido Foundation, federal lawmakers, members of the State Assembly and community leaders who individually sponsor students.
The Executive Secretary commended Governor Radda for increasing the Board’s budget from ₦500 million to ₦1 billion and now ₦9 billion in 2026, describing the development as revolutionary. He again requested the establishment of a modern CBT centre within the Board premises to support JAMB processes and reduce the hardship students face travelling to distant centres.
The ceremony attracted the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir, members of the State House of Assembly, the ALGON Chairman and Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, religious leaders, judges, commissioners, federal lawmakers, philanthropists, beneficiaries and other stakeholders from across the state.
