By Asaye Bankole
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has launched the 2026 bursary, scholarship and financial assistance programme for 13,360 students of Ondo State origin studying in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.
The state government approved N400 million for the programme, which is designed to provide financial support to students and help ease the burden of educational expenses on beneficiaries and their families.
The programme was launched on Tuesday at the Cocoa Conference Centre of the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital.
According to the governor, the beneficiaries include 11,907 students receiving bursaries, 614 scholarship beneficiaries, 239 Law School students, 500 medical students undergoing clinical training and 100 physically challenged students receiving financial assistance.
Aiyedatiwa described education as the foundation upon which every great society is built and a critical driver of sustainable development.
He said his administration had made strategic investments in education, young people and communities as part of its “OUR EASE” development agenda.
The governor explained that the 2026 Budget of Economic Consolidation made significant provisions for the education sector, including the construction and rehabilitation of 500 basic schools across the state.
He also disclosed that the administration had commenced a Digital Literacy Programme through which digital tablets were being distributed to students in 50 public schools.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to equip students with the technological skills required to compete in an increasingly digital world.
“The programme was designed to equip students with digital skills needed to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world and ensure that children of Ondo State were not left behind in innovation and emerging opportunities,” Aiyedatiwa said.
The governor added that his administration was also investing in teachers and had recently recognised outstanding students, teachers and National Youth Service Corps award recipients for their achievements.
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Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, described the bursary and scholarship programme as another demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the educational development, welfare and empowerment of students of Ondo State origin.
Ajibefun commended Aiyedatiwa for approving N400 million for the 2026 programme, noting that the timely release of the funds had made the implementation possible.
The commissioner further disclosed that the governor had approved N633.918 million for the payment of 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination registration fees for students in public secondary schools across Ondo State.
He said the intervention would support students preparing for the examination and help reduce the financial burden associated with registration fees.
Ajibefun also disclosed that Aiyedatiwa had approved the immediate implementation of the Federal Government’s agreement with unions concerning the new salary structure for workers in the state’s tertiary institutions.
According to him, the governor also approved a substantial increase in subvention to the institutions to enable them to implement the new salary structure.
The commissioner said the various interventions reflected the state government’s continued efforts to strengthen education, support students and improve the capacity of tertiary institutions across Ondo State.
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