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• 200 pioneer students depart Nigeria to India
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Plateau State government on December 30, 2025 formally launched the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme, approving the sponsorship of 200 students for undergraduate degree programmes in medical sciences, engineering, and information and communication technology at Sanskaram University, India.
Governor Mutfwang during the farewell ceremony held at the National Youths Centre in Jos, the state capital, described the initiative as a strategic move to close the gap his administration found in the state, especially in the areas of sciences related fields.
He said the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme is a merit-driven investment by the state government for human capital development aimed at securing the future of Plateau State through education, discipline and global exposure.
The governor emphasized that the beneficiaries, drawn from across the three senatorial zones of the state, emerged through a transparent, competitive process he personally investigated and it was strictly a merit-based selection process which was independently supervised by the partner university to ensure credibility.
He said: “This process was not manipulated or influenced in any way. Everyone selected is here because of hard work and excellence. If they did not earn it by merit, nobody would be discussing them.
“We did not allocate slots to politicians, local governments, or institutions. We insisted that this first batch must be purely merit-based because Plateau State has produced some of the brightest minds in this country, and we believe God has blessed us with excellence.”
Addressing the departing students, the governor charged them to uphold discipline, moral integrity, and academic excellence as worthy ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria.
He expressed concern about how some applicants who sat for the scholarship examination failed drugs test despite being intellectually sound but has been cloaked in drugs and other substances already affecting an opportunity that might have changed their lives and that of their families forever.
“What God is giving you through us are wings to fly. When the hour of temptation comes, remember where you are coming from. Devote yourselves to excellence, because the future of Plateau State and Nigeria will depend on you.
“I must also say that some brilliant candidates were turned back because they failed drug tests. Brilliant but already spoiled. That is painful to any parent,” Mutfwang lamented.
The governor also disclosed reforms in the education sector, noting that the 2026 budget provides for a special research fund for Plateau indigenes in tertiary institutions, expanded postgraduate programmes at Plateau State University, and enhanced support for Master’s and Ph.D research.
“This is just the beginning. We are deliberately investing in our institutions so they can compete favourably at national and global levels. We are building a new Plateau where no one is left behind and where religion or ethnicity will not hold us back.
“Let me state clearly from the onset, to disabuse the minds of anyone who may think otherwise, that this process was not manipulated or influenced in any way. I have thoroughly investigated the entire process, and I want you to know that everyone included in this scholarship scheme was selected strictly on the basis of merit.
“First and foremost, every beneficiary has a solid foundation of hard work and excellence. If you did not have the required grades in WAEC, nobody would even have discussed your name. Secondly, the University sent its own delegates to oversee and take charge of the selection process.
“Being a pilot project, we deliberately ensured that it was not hijacked by quota considerations. We did not allocate slots to politicians. We did not allocate slots to the House of Assembly, even though you know they can impeach me. I resisted them. I insisted that this first batch of beneficiaries must be selected purely on merit and excellence.
“We did not allocate any quota to any local government. The selection was done solely on the basis of qualification. And why not? Some of the most brilliant minds Nigeria has ever produced are from Plateau State. It may interest you to know that Plateau State has produced perhaps more Vice Chancellors across Nigeria than many other states. We believe that God has truly blessed us, and this initiative is born out of that belief,” the governor stated.
The Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kachollom Pyam Gang, who could not hold her joy, described the scheme as a historic milestone in Plateau State’s educational advancement, noting that it was unprecedented for a sitting governor to sponsor as many as 200 students for overseas studies at once.
She commended Mutfwang’s vision and personal sacrifice, affirming that the beneficiaries’ admission into Sanskaram University was earned through discipline and academic excellence.
“Excellence is not a destination; it is a habit. Return with knowledge, with stories, and with the fire to build a healthier and more prosperous Plateau State,” she charged the students.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Scholarship Board, Nankus Adams Ngwalang, applauded Mutfwang for the novel initiative, describing it as the most impactful intervention the board has experienced.
She noted that the administration has increased bursary allowances for students, sponsored scholarship programmes to Liberty University, and granted the board the autonomy to operate in the interest of peace and progress in the state.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Mrs. Fabong Adanchin expressed profound gratitude to the governor, describing the initiative as transformative, given a brighter future for the children of the poor and the widows.
“I did not support you in the last election, but good leadership won me over. Today, my son is going to India purely on merit. This seed you have sown will outlive us, because the child of a widow, a poor man, and an orphan can now access quality education,” she stated
The Ujah Anaguta of Jos North local government area, HRH Johnson Jauro Magaji, urged the students to uphold those values that stand Plateau people out by being united and learn good things that will in turn impact the state.
“You are going to India not just for yourselves, but for Plateau State. Bring back knowledge and excellence. Promote our oneness and make us proud,” he charged them.
Young Sani Sani Gonto from Wase LGA going to study electrical engineering and Ndum Juldam Takdul, a native of Langtang North local government area of the state set to study pharmacy noted that Plateau State will be greater if the state continues to have visionary leaders like Gov. Mutfwang.
Takdul said: “We are thanking the governor for investing in our lives, and in the future of Plateau State and Nigeria in general. If we have more governors doing things like this, in the next 10 years you won’t know Plateau State
“I never emerged I will move out of Nigeria at this early stage of my life. My desire had been that after graduation and making some money, I will then go and do my Master’s degree abroad but God has made it possible through Gov. Mutfwang.”
Mrs Charity Longs, the mother of LongNaan-Longs Benaiah, who is going to study cardiovascular tech, recalled the struggles of paying for her son’s school fees in a private school in a bid to give him quality education like others rendered them financially handicapped until the scholarship opportunity came their way.
Another mother of a beneficiary, Mrs Godiya Jepgwam, was full of gratitude for the governor’s initiative. She maintained that the governor’s benevolence has given her 17-year- old daughter, Chindongnaan Lesley Jepgwam, an opportunity to study civil engineering in India.
The Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Jos branch, Engr. Meshach Ileanwa Alfa, also commended the governor for the laudable step of giving 200 Plateau children an opportunity to study in specialized areas, including engineering.
He recalled that during a five-day capacity building workshop on best practices in contemporary construction and procurement for applicable officials of MDAs in the Built Environment Sector in November 2024, Plateau State had only 37 engineers in the various sectors of the state workforce.
He said: “One major challenge we identified in 2024 was that the number of engineers in the MDAs was grossly inadequate by the record available to me in 2024. Ministry of Works has only 13 engineers, Ministry of Housing & Urban Development only five engineers, Ministry of Water Resources and Energy six engineers, Plateau State University had only one engineer then.
“Meanwhile, in College of Health Pankshin is one engineer, Jos Water Corporation five engineers, College of Health, Zawan one engineer, College of Arts, Science and Remedial Studies Kurgwi one engineer, Plateau Agricultural Development Programme two engineers and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) two engineers.
“From the time I gave my keynote address and now, more engineers have been added in various MDAs which has improved the number. This is the first in many years.
“I’m aware of efforts by the state government to sponsor people for various trainings in applied science field, including engineering. While that is commendable, my applause will be when these people are engaged in the public sector based on merit.
“So, we must ensure meritocracy as we make efforts to revamp engineering power in the public sector of the state.”
The first batch of the 200 students were on January 4, 2026 at the Abuja International Airport as Mr. Victor Gyang, the Director at the Plateau State Scholarship Board, guided them towards their journey of life to India.
