Katsina State government has proposed a total of N3 billion for local and foreign scholarship programmes in the 2026 fiscal year, reaffirming its commitment to education, youth development and human capital investment.
The figure was disclosed during the 2026 Pre- Budget Defence Session by the state executive secretary of the Katsina State Scholarship Board, Dr. Aminu Salisu Tsauri, when he appeared before the Joint Committee on 2026 Pre- Budget Defence in the state.
According to the budget details he presented during the session, ₦1 billion has been earmarked for local scholarship awards, while another ₦2 billion is allocated for foreign graduate sponsorships.
He explained that under the proposed financing arrangement, local governments would fund 50 per cent of local scholarships and 70 per cent of foreign scholarship sponsorships, while the state government will provide the balance.
The executive secretary further explained that the new arrangement was aimed at ensuring shared responsibility between the state and local governments in supporting indigent students both within and outside the country.
During the deliberations, the committee scrutinised the capital receipts and expenditure plans, insisting that all financial data must be fully verified before submission to the House.
He notedfurther that in previous supplementary budgets, certain discrepancies were identified in the records of local government contributions, prompting the need for an adjustment in the current fiscal proposal.
The session also reviewed the role of the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA) in ensuring proper recordkeeping and financial documentation for all scholarship-related transactions.
In addition to the scholarship programmes, lawmakers inquired about the State Government Award of Academic Excellence and the Renovation of the Scholarship Board’s office complex, both of which were captured in the budget but yet to be completed.
The committee chairman, who doubles as the commissioner for budget and economic planning, Malik Anas, emphasised the importance of accountability, urging the board to formally communicate with the Ministry of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education on the details of proposed spending, contribution ratios, and timelines for implementation.
The ₦3 billion scholarship provision is expected to benefit thousands of Katsina State students across tertiary institutions in Nigeria and abroad, in line with Governor Dikko Radda’s education reform agenda aimed at expanding access to quality learning opportunities.
