Delta NDC gov campaign organisation seeks increase in bursary for students

The Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Organisation has called on the Delta State Government to raise individual bursary payments for students to N100,000, highlighting the increasing costs of tuition fees, accommodation, transportation, and other educational expenses. The organisation also requested a thorough review of the Students Special Assistance Scheme, demanding more transparency and disclosure of payment details.

Director-General Dr Alfred Mulade made these demands following Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's recent award of a N50m educational support fund to Miss Ogheneovo Davina, a student from Model Technical College, Oghareki. While lauding Davina's achievement, the organisation urged the government to broaden the review to encompass educational assistance for all students.

They pointed out that thousands of students face financial struggles due to rising expenses, with some beneficiaries reportedly receiving as little as N19,500. The organisation raised concerns about the N800 non-refundable processing fee charged to students applying for financial aid, urging the government to explain the fee's purpose and consider waiving it.

They also noted that the state's proposed 2026 budget allocated N850m for the scheme, compared to N750m for 2025. The organisation pushed for annual beneficiary figures, actual disbursements, individual award amounts, and a historical record of scheme adjustments. They emphasized that both recognizing individual excellence and providing broad-based educational support are crucial, and called for a transparent, accessible, and sustainable system of educational assistance in the state.