Katsina Scholarship Board Refunds N86m Unclaimed Bursary to State Coffers

In Katsina State, the Scholarship Board has returned N86 million in unclaimed bursary funds to the state government, thanks to the implementation of advanced digital verification and accountability measures. The new system ensures that public funds are directed only to eligible recipients. Dr. Aminu Salisu Tsauri, the Executive Secretary of the Scholarship Board, announced that 14,925 new applicants underwent screening for bursary payments, with disbursements expected to conclude before the end of 2026.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda inaugurated the bursary payment process for the 2025/2026 academic session at the state-owned Institute of Technology and Management. His administration has doubled the bursary allowances and commenced the disbursement of N689.79 million to 19,318 verified students across 97 institutions. This marks a significant shift from the stagnant bursary rates since 2007, easing the financial burden on students and parents.

The governor also announced a 150 per cent increase for Veterinary Medicine students in 300 and 400 levels, a 200 per cent boost for those in 500 and 600 levels, and a N500,000 stipend for 56 Katsina indigenes at the Nigerian Law School, amounting to N28 million. Additionally, Radda highlighted the state's sponsorship of 118 foreign scholarships, including 41 Medicine students in Egypt, 10 in Ethiopia, 33 in Artificial Intelligence and 34 in Bioengineering in China, with an estimated N1.7 billion allocated for upkeep, tuition, accommodation, and health insurance.

Furthermore, the administration unveiled a local scholarship scheme for 1,700 students from 34 Local Government Areas, targeting the best-performing NECO and WAEC candidates to pursue studies in Nursing, Engineering, ICT, Agriculture, and Education at state-owned institutions. The Scholarship Board is urged to maintain transparency, verification, and accountability in managing these public funds.