By Ade Oyeyemi
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved N400m for the 2026 bursary, scholarship and financial assistance scheme benefiting 13,360 indigenes of the state studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The governor launched the programme on Tuesday at the Cocoa Conference Centre within the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.
The beneficiaries include 11,907 students receiving bursaries and 614 others awarded scholarships under the scheme.
Also listed among the beneficiaries are 239 students of the Nigerian Law School, 500 medical students undertaking clinical training and 100 students living with physical disabilities receiving financial assistance.
Speaking at the event, Aiyedatiwa described education as a major driver of societal development, saying his administration had prioritised investment in students as part of its “OUR EASE” development agenda.
He said the state’s 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation made significant provisions for the education sector, including plans to construct and rehabilitate 500 basic schools.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had commenced a digital literacy initiative through which digital tablets were being distributed to students in 50 public schools across the state.
According to him, the programme was designed to help students develop digital skills and prepare them for opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Aiyedatiwa added that the government was also strengthening the capacity of teachers while recognising outstanding students, teachers and National Youth Service Corps award recipients.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, described the bursary and scholarship initiative as part of the governor’s efforts to improve educational opportunities and support students of Ondo State origin.
Ajibefun commended the governor for approving the N400m funding, saying the release of the money enabled the 2026 programme to commence.
The commissioner further disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had approved N633.918m to cover the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination registration fees for students in public secondary schools across the state.
Ajibefun also said the governor had approved the implementation of the Federal Government’s agreement with tertiary institution unions on a new salary structure in the state.
He added that the government had increased subvention to the state-owned tertiary institutions to support the implementation of the new salary structure.
