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, totalling N47 million, along with laptops to aid their studies. The beneficiaries include students at various academic levels: 5 in 400 level, 39 in 300 level, 2 in 200 level, and 1 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 counselling, animal environmental biology, applied geology, biochemistry molecular biology, English and literary studies, civil engineering, Arabic, nursing, law, animal production and health.
Speaking at the mid-term assessment and interactive session with scholars of the RHI National Scholarship Programme (NASP) Tertiary Education, Mrs Tinubu, who is the National Chairman of RHI, 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 people’s 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.”
She continued: “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.
“It is not about the number but it is about raising you and successful students that would be productive and add something to the table.
“We started in 2023. We want to know how you are faring and also advise you on how to move ahead. It is good that you are all still in school. It is more than that. What have you done with the first and second tranche?”
The First Lady also urged the scholars to think outside the box to maximise the opportunity at their disposal.
She said, “Look for what you can do to earn extra income that will not affect your studies. Learn a skill that can help you.
“To those of you who have started a business, though it may be small, keep at it and you will earn more,” she urged.
The interactive session also had the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, speak on the uniqueness of the opportunity presented to the scholars, urging them to stay focused, adding that formal education is pivotal to the future.
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 on 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 Uzodinma, praised the ongoing scholarship programme 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.”
Chairperson of Governors Spouses Forum and Wife of Governor of Kwara State, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, urged beneficiaries of the scholarship who do not have a flair for business to develop themselves in other skills like being research assistants or assistant lecturers.
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.
He continued that the new laptops donated by the agency contained opportunities on the agency website and urged them to explore.
Original source: ng