Gov. Okpebholo Approves ₦1 Billion Annual Bursary Scheme for Edo Students

The Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the sum of ₦1 billion as annual bursary support for students of Edo State origin enrolled in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The approval follows a recent town hall meeting with Edo youths, where young leaders passionately appealed for the introduction of bursaries to ease the financial burden on students and their families.

Governor Okpebholo, in response to the request, pledged to prioritize youth welfare and education support, and has now fulfilled that promise less than eight months into his administration.

The newly approved bursary scheme is set to become an annual intervention designed to assist Edo indigenes in higher education, promote academic excellence, and foster a generation of skilled and educated citizens who can contribute to the state’s growth.

Speaking on the initiative, Governor Okpebholo stressed that eligibility would be strictly determined through proper verification by the applicants’ Local Government of Origin, to ensure that only genuine indigenes of the state benefit.

He further noted that the initiative aligns with his administration’s SHINE agenda, which prioritizes education, youth development, and human capital growth as critical pillars of Edo’s socio-economic transformation.

Relevant government agencies are expected to announce application guidelines, eligibility criteria, and disbursement timelines in the coming days.

The ₦1 billion bursary programme marks one of the boldest educational support interventions by any subnational government in Nigeria and positions Edo State as a pacesetter in youth-focused governance.