Kogi State begins N646.8m bursary disbursement to 20,356 students

The Kogi State Government has launched a bursary disbursement program totaling N646.8 million to support 20,356 students of Kogi origin studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo officially flagged off the exercise in Lokoja. The program is divided into two tranches. The first tranche will benefit 13,157 students enrolled in institutions within Kogi State. Under this arrangement, medical students will receive N75,000 each, while those in other courses will receive N30,000. The second tranche is designated for Kogi indigenes studying in tertiary institutions outside the state.

Prof. Salihu Sanusi Avidime, Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, noted that the initiative is intended to ease the financial burden of education on households. The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a 30 per cent budgetary allocation to the education sector. Additionally, officials encouraged students to utilize federal initiatives such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to further support their academic pursuits.