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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Renewed Hope Initiative led by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has disbursed one million naira each to 47 tertiary students across Nigeria, totaling N47 million and laptops to aid their studies. The beneficiaries include students at various academic levels: five in 400 level, 39 in 300 level, two in 200 level, and one in ND 2.
The scholarships cover a broad range of disciplines including Public Administration, Botany, Business Administration, Chemistry Education, Agricultural Economics, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Rehabilitation, Radiology, Medicine and Surgery, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, Accounting, Political Science, Educational Biology, Library Science, Zoology, Public Health, Physiotherapy, Food and Nutrition, Islamic Studies, Guidance and Counseling, Animal Environmental Biology, Applied Geology, Biochemistry Molecular Biology, English and Literacy Studies, Civil Engineering, Arabic, Nursing, Law, Animal Production and Health.
At the event, Mrs. Tinubu stressed the programme’s importance beyond politics, saying, “this is a scheme that we have to continue, this is not about politics, it is about peoples’ lives. Just like in the past when I gave out scholarships, I want to ask you, what do you also add to the table? You can grow and you can also look for extra things that you can do that can raise money for you and will not hinder your studies.
“We have given you two years of grace and some of you have two more years to complete your studies so we have a lot to do, so we pray that the President will have a second term so that we continue.”
Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, praised the Renewed Hope Initiative’s commitment to education and detailed the government’s additional scholarship and bursary efforts under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the increase in funding and opportunities for students.
He said, “Our First Lady wants me to talk about the scholarship opportunities available to millions of folks like you out there. This is part of our benevolence commitment to education… In the last two years, the President gave out 12,434 Bursary Awards amounting to about N10 billion to students in key sectors including medicine and education.”
He further added, “We have given about N4 billion worth of scholarships to about 8,535 students in the last two years alone… The scholarship award now includes N750,000 annually for those studying sciences in STEM and postgraduate education. You can apply through the Ministry of Education’s website portal.”
Alausa also highlighted the Nigeria Education Loan Fund established by the President: “Over 500,000 students across the country have benefited from the loan fund, with about 100 billion naira disbursed. You don’t pay back until after you graduate, finish NYSC, and get a job, and even then only a maximum of 10% of your salary.”
He acknowledged the focus on STEM fields among the beneficiaries, noting, “Fifty-five percent of the 47 scholars today are in STEM fields such as medicine, nursing, engineering, animal science, and food science. That’s where we want to focus a lot of our emphasis.”
The wife of Imo State Governor and National Secretary, Renewed Hope Initiative, Chioma Uzodinmma, praised the ongoing scholarship program and the dedication of the recipients, stating, “We congratulate the first tranche awarded in 2023, followed by the second in September 2024. Scholars who maintained a GPA of 3.0 and above remain eligible. “Today’s 47 beneficiaries each receive N1 million annually plus a brand new laptop. We wish you success in your academic session.”
Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, described the scholarship as “a life changing package provided by the First Lady,” underscoring its vital role in nurturing young talents across Nigeria.
