Ahmadu Bello Foundation Seeks Support As Demand For Scholarships Soars In Northern States

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, development partners and philanthropists to support its undergraduate scholarship programme as applications continue to outstrip available funding across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking at the 2025 SABMF scholarship awards ceremony, the director-general and chief executive officer of the foundation, Engr. Dr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, said the scheme,  which awards scholarships to 10 indigent science and technology students per state every two years, was facing increasing pressure due to a surge in applicants.

Umar said though the foundation remained committed to supporting education in the region, limited resources prevented it from expanding the number of beneficiaries despite the rising demand.

He cited Kaduna State where more than 300 students applied for the 2025 cycle, but only 10 could be selected.

“While it is our desire to cater for more than only 10 students from each state, we are financially handicapped to go beyond this number,” he said, “The need is growing, and many deserving students are left behind due to funding constraints. We therefore call on our distinguished guests and partners to support us on this journey.”

According to him, the scholarship scheme provides annual financial support to students throughout their undergraduate studies. Medicine (MBBS) students receive a total of ₦500,000 over six years, engineering students get ₦400,000 over five years, while students in four-year science and technology courses receive ₦300,000.

Since its introduction in 2012, the foundation has funded the education of more than 1,000 indigent students in disciplines such as Medicine, ICT, Nursing Science, Geology, Agriculture, Architecture, Building Technology, and Engineering. Over 600 of these scholars have graduated, with the Foundation recording about 46 percent first-class graduates, 27 percent second-class upper, and 23 percent second-class lower.

The director general also highlighted the success of the SABMF Scholars Forum, created in 2021 to provide mentorship, professional guidance and capacity-building opportunities for scholars.

The forum, led by elected executives at national and state levels, serves as a platform for mentorship, community outreach, and career development.

He noted that some alumni of the scheme had started their own foundations and philanthropic initiatives in areas such as health, education and agriculture, reflecting the leadership and service values associated with the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, whose legacy the Foundation upholds.

Umar added that the foundation had held several mentorship engagements, including a maiden physical gathering of over 300 graduates in Abuja and about 10 virtual webinars aimed at improving the professional capacity of scholars and other young people.

He appealed for broader support to enable the foundation extend these opportunities to more students across the region.

“We call on individuals, corporate bodies and development partners to join us in ensuring that more of our children can access quality education and fulfil their potential,” he said.

The SABMF Scholarship Scheme focuses exclusively on indigent students who have completed their 100 level and attained a minimum CGPA of 2.5. Selection follows a rigorous process that includes public advertisement and screening to ensure transparency and merit.

The foundation said it would continue to prioritise education as a core pillar of its interventions but requires additional financial backing to scale up its impact across the North.