Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, yesterday approved the payment of N375, 455, 000 for scholarship and bursary awards in a bid to support the academic pursuits of Lagos state indigenes.

This fund is designed to alleviate the financial burdens faced by Lagosians pursuing higher education across the country.

Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Lekki, who unveiled this significant development during a recent meeting with key stakeholders in his office, emphasised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s unwavering commitment to advancing education within the state.

According to him, “the governor’s vision is to make education accessible, affordable, and sustainable, which is evident through the timely disbursement of these funds.”

He said the administration is concerned about the youths and their educational pursuit to, adding that it will provide accessible and affordable education, irrespective of the country’s economic challenges.

Lekki, who gave a breakdown of the allocation explained that N164,500,000 has been earmarked for the 2021/2022 fresh scholarship award for undergraduate, masters and PhD (batch b), 2021/2022 subsequent scholarship award for undergraduate and PhD; and 2022/2023 subsequent scholarship award for undergraduate and PhD recipients, as well as the 2022/2023 governor’s discretionary awards.

Furthermore, an allocation of N210, 955, 000 has been approved for the 2021/2022 fresh bursary award for undergraduates and Law School (Batch B), 2021/2022 subsequent bursary award for undergraduates, and 2022/2023 subsequent bursary award for undergraduates.

The executive secretary reassured beneficiaries awaiting disbursement that the release of funds will commence promptly as soon as the necessary administrative processes are concluded.

“Applications for the year 2022/2023 fresh scholarship and bursary awards have been successfully completed, with academic and indigenship verification processes set to commence. Students are encouraged to regularly check their emails for updates,” he said.

Lekki disclosed that the board is set to introduce special categories of scholarships, focusing on the poor and vulnerable, as well as People With Disabilities (PWD).

“This aligns with the intensified emphasis on social inclusion, gender equality and youth in the coming four years,” he said, adding that the state government has a long history of subsidising education, utilising bursaries and scholarships to assist both indigenes and residents in achieving their educational aspirations.

“This tradition dates back to 1968 when the board was first established.The Lagos State Scholarship Board remains steadfast in its commitment to administering bursary and scholarship awards effectively, striving to make higher education accessible to all,” Lekki stressed. (THISDAY)

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