Fresh facts have emerged that Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved disbursement of N849,555,000.00 in 2023 for 8,475 scholarship and bursary awards to undergraduates and law school beneficiaries across tertiary institutions.
Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Tolani Sule, who disclosed this on Tuesday, during the ministerial briefing on the first year anniversary of the second term of Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, stressed that the measure was part of efforts to boost quality tertiary education in the state.
According to Sule, “N335,600,000, was approved for 159 for the 2022/2023 scholarship award for undergraduate and PhD recipients as well as the 2022/2023 Governor’s Discretionary Awards.
“While, a total of N513,955,000 for 6884, bursary award was disbursed for undergraduates and Law School.
“And a total of N849,555.00 have so far been released in 2023 for 8,475 scholarship and bursary beneficiaries.”
The commissioner, while speaking on the payment in 2024, explained that “2022/2023 subsequent bursary and scholarship payments for the undergraduates and postgraduates are currently ongoing.
“The newly admitted students 2022/2023 scholarship and bursary applications have just been completed, while disbursements will commence by April 2024.
“The application portal for the 2023/2024 scholarship and bursary awards will open by May 2024, while disbursements will commence by July 2024.”
Also, in alignment with the THEMES’ Plus Agenda, of Sanwo-Olu’s administration which prioritizes inclusive development, “I am proud to unveil the introduction of a Special Scholarship for Inclusion.
“This initiative is designed to support people living with disabilities and the multi dimensionally poor, empowering them to pursue their educational aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the society.
“It is crucial to note that the Special Scholarship for Inclusion extends beyond Lagos State indigenes.
“It encompasses all residents enrolled in Lagos State-owned Tertiary Institutions, irrespective of their state of origin.
“This underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing equal opportunities for all residents of Lagos State.
“As per the People with Disability Law of Lagos State, which promises free education for all PWDs, the Lagos State Government has allocated budgetary provisions in the 2024 Budget to fulfill this mandate via the introduction of the Special Scholarship for PWDs.
“We are committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their abilities or socio-economic background, has access to quality education.”
The state government also backed the proposal to increase the minimum age requirement for university admission to 18 years, saying physical and mental maturity needed at higher education levels.
Sule, who expressed the readiness of the state government to implement the policy, explained that graduates of universities are expected to be fit for societal challenges after graduation.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, had recently hinted that the Federal Government would review age requirements for admission into tertiary institutions in the country.
The minister who pegged 18 years as a benchmark for admission into universities, advised parents not to push their underage wards to higher education, especially university education, below the age of 18.
Prof. Mamman made the pronouncement after monitoring the just-concluded Unified Tertiary matriculation Examination, UTME, in some of the centres in Abuja.
While defending the policy, Lagos Commissioner stressed that there is an automated system in place in the state to make the implementation work seamlessly.
Sule said, “As per the age of entering universities, it is a national policy. Before the new pronouncement, it was 16 years. Even LASU, it is so strict and to some extent it is said we are over strict.”
He reiterated, “LASU administration process is digitalized, the system will cut you off if you are not 16 years old by October 21. The NIN has indicated your date of birth and this is indicated in your data process, there is no way LASU can admit you if you are not 16.
