Lagos State Increases Scholarship To N225,000 And Bursary To N60,000 For Tertiary Students

Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced an increment in scholarship and bursary for students of Lagos State origin in tertiary institutions.

He said his administration will henceforth pay N225,000 (scholarship) and N60,000 (bursary) as against the current N200,000 and N50,000.

The governor also announced scholarships for less-privileged and physically-challenged students in public tertiary institutions. The scholarship will not be limited to Lagos indigenes alone, he added.

He also announced the appointment of four former Students Union leaders as Senior Special Assistants (SSAs). They are Eniola Opeyemi, Kayode Samuel, Giwa Moore and Adeola Adewunmi.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during a one-day interactive session with Students Union Leaders and stakeholders in Lagos State, organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, and themed ‘Students as Strategic Partners in the Governance Process: Challenges and Prospects for Youth Development’.

The event was attended by members of the state executive council, education stakeholders and delegates from 13 public tertiary institutions, including Lagos State University (LASU), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), among others.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration would continue to engage students constructively and enhance infrastructure in public institutions.

He promised that his administration will continue to develop an enduring and sustainable ecosystem to create a liveable and workable environment for students in all public tertiary institutions.

“This meeting is apt because of the trending events in our state and Nigeria.

“It is a confidence-building process between the government and the governed. It is an opportunity for students and other stakeholders to vent their feelings, opinions, and suggestions on how to overcome challenges confronting our collective existence as a people,” he noted.

The governor, who also reiterated his administration’s renewed commitment to youth development, social inclusion and gender equality in line with the THEMES+ agenda, called for collaborations to develop an ecosystem to build a solid student-university-government relationship.

He also admonished the students to keep the hope alive and rest assured that their welfare and development will remain a priority in his administration.

Commissioner for Tertiary Education Tolani Sule hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support, and promised that the ministry would sustain the legacy of excellence through continuous dialogue and engagement of students, school management and stakeholders to foster an atmosphere of peace.

He said: “A stakeholder engagement like this becomes necessary in view of the noble role that our youths have to play in our development agenda. I, therefore commend Mr. Governor for giving accelerated approval to this programme, knowing fully that our youths hold the key to a greater tomorrow for our dear country.

“In spite of the present social economic challenges, it is gratifying to note that the Lagos State government has continued to sustain the tempo of excellence in our tertiary institutions. Students and staff welfare have remained a priority while various infrastructural development projects are either completed or ongoing across our campuses.

“This is leadership at play. In the last four and half years of this administration, it is remarkable to note that none of our institutions have witnessed any student unrest nor industrial disharmony to warrant strike or closure of any of the state-owned institutions.

“Our academic calendars have been running smoothly, we have continued to enjoy unprecedented stability in our academic calendars in the last four years. To me, it is a reflection of leadership quality and administrative excellence at the helm of affairs.”

Guest Speaker and immediate past Vice Chancellor of LASU Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, described Governor Sanwo-Olu as a man of legacy. He praised the administration for its constructive engagement, dialogue, collaborative problem-solving techniques and consultation.

Prof. Fagbohun also restated the need for regular consultation and prioritisation of students for constructive criticism and engagement of government policies.

He also urged the government to invest more in infrastructure, rethink student scholarships, subsidise health care, establish fresh food markets on campuses and provide counseling and support for mental health issues to challenge the students to excel.