Ondo Govt Launches N400m Education Support Scheme for 13,360 Students
The Ondo State Government has commenced the disbursement of N400 million in bursaries, scholarships and financial assistance to 13,360 students of Ondo State origin studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa flagged off the 2026 scheme on Tuesday at the Cocoa Conference Centre, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, as part of his administration’s efforts to support students and expand access to education.
The beneficiaries include 11,907 students receiving bursaries, 614 scholarship beneficiaries, 239 Nigerian Law School students, 500 medical students undergoing clinical training and 100 physically challenged students.
Under the scheme, scholarship beneficiaries with a minimum CGPA of 4.0 on a five-point scale or 3.0 on a four-point scale will receive N100,000 each. Bursary beneficiaries will receive N20,000 each, while Law School and medical students undertaking clinical training will receive N100,000 each.
Physically challenged students will receive N75,000 each.
Speaking at the event, Aiyedatiwa said the intervention was intended to ensure that financial difficulties did not prevent qualified students from pursuing their education.
He said education remained a major component of his administration’s “OUR EASE” development agenda, describing it as a strategic investment in the future of the state.
The governor also highlighted other education initiatives of his administration, including the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools under the 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation.
He disclosed that the state had commenced its Digital Literacy Programme, under which digital tablets would be distributed to students in 50 public schools.
According to him, the programme is aimed at equipping students with digital skills and preparing them for opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Aiyedatiwa added that the government was investing in teachers and had recently recognised outstanding students, teachers and National Youth Service Corps award recipients.
On tertiary education, the governor said moves were underway to transform Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, into the proposed University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Owo (UNASTO).
He said the proposed institution would focus on Agriculture, Science and Technology education and research, with the broader objective of contributing to the state’s economic development.
The governor also disclosed that the government had approved the establishment of a College of Nursing at Igbokoda and a College of Education at Aboto, with steps being taken towards their take-off.
Aiyedatiwa further announced a scholarship for the son of a former student leader, Comrade Mary Ogunga, who died in July before her final Bar examination.
He directed that the child should also be enrolled in the state’s bursary scheme, despite not yet being a tertiary institution student.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, said the N400 million approval demonstrated the administration’s commitment to the welfare and educational development of Ondo State students.
Ajibefun disclosed that the governor had also released N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination registration fees for students in public secondary schools across the state.
He added that Aiyedatiwa had approved the immediate implementation of the Federal Government’s agreement with unions on the new salary structure for workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.
According to him, the government had also increased subvention to the institutions to enable them implement the new salary structure.
Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Scholarship, Samad Orijeminiyi, disclosed that the state was considering a dedicated mobile application to create a digital registry of Ondo State indigenes studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
Orijeminiyi said discussions had commenced with the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) on the proposed platform, which would identify, verify and centralise students’ profiles.
He said the proposed system would also serve as a scholarship management platform, helping to improve the administration of student support programmes, reduce fraud and provide reliable data for policy planning.
He added that the platform could also provide data that would help attract greater Corporate Social Responsibility support from private organisations.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Scholarship Board, Mrs Funsho Tunji-Omoniyi, said 13,360 students in recognised tertiary institutions across Nigeria were expected to benefit from the programme.
She described the initiative as another milestone in the administration’s education and human capital development efforts under the “OUR EASE” agenda.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Global President of the National Association of Ondo State Students, Comrade Temitope Alade, commended the governor for what he described as his interventions in the education sector.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, represented by Hon. Chris Ayebusiwa; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya; members of the State Executive Council and other government officials.
