Ondo disburses N400m bursary, scholarships to 13,360 students

The Ondo State Government on Tuesday disbursed N400 million for the 2026 bursary, scholarship and financial assistance to 13,360 students of the state origin in tertiary institutions across the country.

Speaking at the event in Akure, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the intervention was designed to ease economic hardship on parents and ensure that deserving students pursue their academic ambitions without financial hindrance.

The governor gave a breakdown of the beneficiaries to include 11,907 bursary recipients, 614 scholarship awardees, 239 Law School students, 500 clinical medical students, and 100 physically challenged students.

He noted that the gesture aligned with the administration’s “OUR EASE” development agenda, which prioritises human capital development, school rehabilitation, and digital literacy.

According to him, the state has commenced distributing digital tablets across 50 public secondary schools, alongside ongoing processes to convert Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into a university of agriculture, science, and technology.

Aiyedatiwa also announced a state scholarship for the son of a late student leader, Comrade Mary Ogunga, who passed away in July before sitting for her final Bar examination.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, stated that the governor had also released N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 WASSCE registration fees for public school students.

The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Scholarship Board, Mrs Funsho Tunji-Omoniyi, said the scheme was divided into five categories, with scholarship awards going to students with a CGPA of 4.0 and above on a five-point scale and 3.0 on a four-point scale, at ₦100,000 per student.

Tunji-Omoniyi said bursary beneficiaries would receive ₦20,000 each, while students in Nigerian Law Schools and medical students undertaking clinical studies would receive N100,000 each.
According to her, physically challenged students will receive N75,000 each.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Global President of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS), Comrade Temitope Alade, commended the governor for prioritising student welfare and educational growth in the state.