- Reveals Plan To Expand Scholarship Programme
BY RITA OYIBOKA
The Executive Secretary of the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Dr Godfrey Enitan, has said that students of State origin enrolled in private universities are not excluded from the state’s bursary scheme.
Dr. Enitan, who stated this in an exclusive interview with The Pointer, affirmed that Delta State is one of the few in Nigeria that offer bursaries to students in both public and private institutions, including polytechnics, colleges of education, and nursing schools.
“Last year, we provided bursaries to over 30,000 students, including those attending private universities. It is our policy to ensure that all eligible students, regardless of the institutions they attend, benefit from the state’s financial support,” he said.
He further outlined the criterial/application process, stressing that Delta State students can apply for the bursary at the beginning of each academic session. “Eligible students must be in their second year or above at universities, polytechnics, or colleges of education and must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.2. To avoid duplication of payments, we require bank details and National Identification Number (NIN) verification for every disbursement,” he added. Dr.Enitan also disclosed plans to expand the scholarship programme beyond first-class graduates to include postgraduate students in specialised fields.
“We are focusing on the state’s development needs, particularly in areas such as agriculture and ICT. These proposals will be presented to the state governor at our next meeting,” he said.
He noted that to prevent overwhelming the system with applications, the scholarships would be targeted and merit-based. “The goal is to ensure that those who receive scholarships are not only deserving but also positioned to contribute meaningfully to Delta State’s growth,” he added.
