Abuja: Nigeria's First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged scholarship beneficiaries to develop skills beyond classrooms, emphasizing that academic excellence must be complemented with practical knowledge for national development. She provided this advice during the National Scholarship Programme (NASP) Tertiary Education: Mid-Term Assessment and Interactive Session with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Scholars in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tinubu stressed that education funding should extend beyond financial aid, encouraging students to cultivate additional skills and income streams to secure their future. She emphasized that scholarships are not merely about numbers but about building meaningful lives, urging beneficiaries to remain resourceful and resilient even after graduation. Tinubu stated, "We cannot start a scholarship scheme and then abandon it midway. It is not about numbers; it is about raising good students we can mentor."
She further advised that while the financial aid is substantial, it should not lead to complacency. "The money given is a lot, but that does not mean you should fold your arms. Add to it, acquire skills, earn extra, and think outside the box," she said. Tinubu also encouraged students to appreciate humble beginnings, suggesting that even small ventures should be valued and pursued diligently.
The First Lady announced that over 5,500 students had benefitted from the scholarship program, with an additional 1,500 laptops and a third tranche of funds approved for disbursement within the week. She reassured the students that the scholarship scheme would continue regardless of any political changes. Tinubu also commended the Minister of Education, Dr. Morufu Alausa, and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Abdullahi, for their support.
In her goodwill message, Hajiya Nana Shettima, the Wife of the Vice President, praised the First Lady's foresight and nurturing role in championing educational support for Nigerian youths. Shettima shared her commitment to mentoring over 200 girls in her state, inspired by an initial N5 million support to establish a learning center. She urged beneficiaries to embrace mentorship, discipline, and self-development, while exploring opportunities like the National Student Loan to further their academic and professional growth.
Shettima called on the wives of governors to maintain collaboration to nurture a generation of responsible, skilled, and innovative leaders for Nigeria's future. Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, the Wife of the Imo State Governor and National Secretary of RHI, also commended the scholarship scheme. Uzodinma recalled that the scholarship scheme was launched on Aug. 26, 2023, awarding annual scholarships worth ?1 billion to 47 indigent students for the duration of their studies.
She noted that beneficiaries had received two tranches of funds in 2023 and 2024, maintaining the required GPA of 3.0 and above to remain eligible. The governor's wife announced the disbursement of the third tranche of funds, along with new laptops donated by NITDA. She expressed gratitude to NITDA for its consistent support and urged students to remain focused, resilient, and committed to excellence in their academic pursuits.
"We celebrate all our scholars for their dedication. Through this, we expand our shared commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through education," Uzodinma said. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that new laptops and the sum of one million naira were presented to the students.