BY TAIBAT UMMI YAKUBU

Alhaji Ibrahim Kabir Masari, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Political and Other Matters, has announced plans to expand his scholarship scheme for Katsina students from 133 beneficiaries to at least 500 in 2027, while proposing a new arrangement to honour three influential figures through the initiative.

Masari disclosed this during the presentation of scholarship award letters to beneficiaries of the Ibrahim Kabir Masari Foundation Scholarship Scheme at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University (UMYU), Katsina.

Under the proposed arrangement, 40 per cent of the scholarship funds would be dedicated to the memory of former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, in recognition of his role in establishing the university. Another 30 per cent would honour the late mother of President Tinubu, Dr Abibatu Mogaji, while the remaining 30 per cent would be dedicated to Masari’s mother.

The presidential aide said the arrangement was designed to recognise people whose contributions and personal significance had inspired the scholarship initiative, while providing continued support to students struggling to finance their education.

He said the planned increase in beneficiaries would depend on the resources available and compliance with the scheme’s selection requirements.

Masari also called on the scholarship committee, chaired by the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr Muttaqa Rabe-Darma, to consider extending the programme beyond its current beneficiaries to students studying other courses and professional disciplines.

He further appealed for two non-indigenes of Katsina State to be considered for possible inclusion in the scheme.

Explaining the motivation behind the intervention, Masari said the scholarship was intended to ease the financial pressure on students whose academic ambitions were threatened by a lack of funds.

He stressed that receiving financial assistance should not be interpreted as a sign of failure by students or their parents, but rather as an opportunity for people in positions of responsibility to help young people overcome financial obstacles.

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The presidential aide urged the beneficiaries to remain committed to their studies, maintain discipline and comply with the scholarship conditions. He warned that any beneficiary who violated the rules risked losing the assistance.

He also reminded the students of the need to respect the regulations of their respective institutions, as well as the laws and rules governing Katsina State and Nigeria.

Earlier, Rabe-Darma revealed that the scholarship initiative was inspired by the experience of a female medical student who sought financial assistance after the death of her father left her struggling to continue her education.

According to the minister, the case exposed the difficulties faced by students from financially challenged backgrounds, particularly those studying demanding professional courses such as medicine.

He said the committee received 336 applications from students studying at 34 universities across Nigeria. The applications were subsequently subjected to verification by the respective institutions to confirm the applicants’ eligibility, academic standing and performance.

Rabe-Darma said the programme would be sustained and expanded in future rounds, with plans to accommodate students pursuing other productive fields of study.

He described educational support as an important investment in developing skilled professionals who could contribute to national development.

The minister urged the successful applicants to comply with the scholarship requirements and submit their banking details promptly to ensure the timely disbursement of the funds.