By Suleiman Yakubu

The Director General of Student Affairs to the Niger State Governor, Bello B. Sheriff, has announced that the current administration has spent over N2.5 billion on scholarships.
In an exclusive interview with Newsline, Mr. Sheriff revealed that at the start of the administration, Governor Bago approved N567 million for student scholarships. Recently, an additional N2 billion was released to clear the backlog of scholarships, with payments to beneficiaries currently ongoing.
Mr. Sheriff highlighted that this initiative is unprecedented in the state’s history and praised the governor’s commitment to education. He noted that the recent scholarships awarded to 86 newly matriculated students at Abdulkadir Kure University Minna (AKUM) demonstrate Governor Bago’s unparalleled dedication to supporting education.
Speaking to a group of AKUM students who gathered at the Government House to express their gratitude for the scholarships, Mr. Sheriff mentioned that the university is poised for significant growth. He also pointed out that bursary payments have increased substantially under the current administration, with students in humanities now receiving N50,000, up from N11,000, and those in engineering and medicine receiving between N90,000 and N120,000, significantly higher than previous amounts.
Defending the governor’s N250 million donation to Newgate University, a private institution in Minna, Mr. Sheriff stated that such interventions are common and justified. He explained that Newgate University, being located in the state and educating many local students, contributes to the state’s development. “Using government resources to improve education and create better citizens benefits the state, as these students will eventually contribute to its growth,” he said.

By Suleiman Yakubu

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has officially sworn in Mal. Abubakar Sadiq as the new Head of Service of Niger State.
The ceremony, held at the Council Chamber of Government House in Minna, also saw the induction of four new Permanent Secretaries: Hauwa Dickson Vyada, Joanna Pada, Arc. Bako Ismail Muhammad, and Helen William Umaru.
During the event, Governor Bago urged the new appointees to demonstrate diligence and dedication in their roles, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to fostering a robust and effective civil service.