In a significant move to enhance access to education for under-privileged students, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has ordered the removal of tax clearance as a requirement for accessing the award of scholarship in the state.
This decision aims to simplify the process, and ensure that students from low-income backgrounds, can more easily obtain financial support for their education.
The announcement was made by Prof. Yahaya Ibrahim, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board, during a press briefing in Kaduna on Sunday.
He emphasized that the governor’s executive order is designed to prioritize the needs of students who require financial assistance the most.
While the essay writing requirement remains in place, Prof. Ibrahim clarified that it will no longer serve as a barrier to eligibility.
Instead, it will be used to identify areas where students may need additional academic support.
“The governor has removed the requirement for tax clearance, making it easier for students from poor backgrounds to access scholarships. The essay writing requirement remains, but it is now used to assess students’ needs, rather than as a condition for eligibility,” he explained.
To further streamline the application process, Gov. Sani has established seven scholarship award zonal units in rural areas, each equipped with 30 computers.
These units are located in Zaria, Kafanchan, Kachia, Pambegua, Makarfi, Kaduna North, and Kaduna South zones.
According to Prof. Ibrahim, the establishment of these zonal units, has significantly reduced the burden on students who previously had to travel to the board’s headquarters in Kaduna, thereby easing congestion and improving accessibility.
In addition to these measures, the board has introduced on-the-spot scholarship enrolments for indigenous students across tertiary institutions.
So far, over 4,330 potential beneficiaries have been enlisted, and are awaiting disbursement. From May 2023 to date, 3,397 students have been awarded local scholarships, while 30 students have benefited from third-party tertiary education loans.
Gov. Sani has also demonstrated his commitment to inclusivity, by introducing government-funded scholarship intervention programmes for students with special needs, as well as those pursuing studies in innovation, aviation, and merit-based fields.
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“The inclusion of government special scholarship intervention programmes for innovation, aviation, merit-based studies, under-privileged groups, and People with Special Needs (PLWDs) is at the heart of His Excellency’s agenda,” Prof. Ibrahim stated.
The governor’s initiatives have been widely praised as a major breakthrough in the state’s education sector.
Students and parents alike have expressed their gratitude for the governor’s efforts to support education, and reduce financial barriers for under-privileged students.
In a related development, Gov. Sani has provided employment for six medical students who recently graduated from Cuba, along with 14 nursing graduates from Uganda.
According to Prof. Ibrahim, all 14 nursing graduates were automatically employed into the Kaduna State civil service, further underscoring the governor’s commitment to supporting education, and creating opportunities for young professionals.
