By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Chairman of Buji Local Government Council in Jigawa State, Arch. Najibullah Falalu Tukur, has rolled out a ₦48 million scholarship scheme benefiting 426 indigent students across various tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
The initiative, executed under the Matawalle Students Care Programme, covered registration fees for 355 newly admitted students and 77 returning undergraduates. Tukur said the scheme targets brilliant but less privileged youths who excelled in their SSCE and JAMB examinations.
A breakdown of the sponsorship shows ₦11.05 million was spent on 113 students admitted into three universities — 50 each at Federal University Dutse (FUD) and Sule Lamido University (SLU), Kafin-Hausa, and 13 at Khadija University, Majia. Another ₦12.4 million supported 182 students at the Colleges of Education in Jama’are and Azare, Bauchi State, while ₦3.19 million covered 35 students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Jahun and Gwaram.
In addition, 20 Buji indigenes at the Jigawa State College of Information and Communication Technology, Kazaure, received ₦6.73 million, ₦13.4 million was disbursed to 77 returning students, ₦700,000 was paid as exam fees for five students at the Nigerian Navy School, and ₦300,000 went toward hostel accommodation at ALU College, Birnin Kudu.
Tukur described the intervention as unprecedented in the history of Buji, achieved within his first year in office.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to human capital development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda. It is also a fulfillment of our campaign promises,” he said.
The chairman urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity, stressing that education remains the surest path to leadership and development for the council, the state, and the nation.
