How Niger State Government Delayed Undergraduate Scholarship Payments for Months

Haruna Cole’s joy knew no bounds when he heard that the Niger State government had promised to support the education of indigenous students. It was the only relief that he’d long hoped for, as life at Niger State Polytechnic made him sorrowful. He faced many challenges, like no longer being able to afford tuition. However, the lifeline he had held on to becoming a graduate was just an illusion.

It started with his registration in March 2025. A long silence followed after he uploaded his NIN, birth certificate, school ID card, last payment receipt, indigene and acknowledgement letter to the website of the Niger State Scholarship Board. The successful registration and printing of his details, along with being among those physically screened by officials from the board, had his hope slightly rekindled.

But ten months after the procedures, Haruna, who had his hopes high upon receiving credible information that should all go well, disbursement will be made to successful candidates in three batches, sadly recalled that nothing changed, but instead, the delays put him in a tight situation.

“I am in need of it. I have completed my application in May 2025. Since then, I’ve had good hope about the scholarship,” said Haruna.

Usually, a beneficiary gets their school fees and monthly stipend paid courtesy of the Niger State government. As a bonafide indigene of Niger State, Haranu feels deeply disheartened by the state government’s failure to disburse the 2025 scholarship stipend despite the fact that it was officially approved. ‘’This decision or lack of action has caused serious hardship,” Haruna lamented.

Haruna is one of the several thousands of undergraduates that won the 2024/2025 academic session bursary/scholarship for Niger State indigenous students in tertiary institutions. The scholarship board, an establishment of the state government in 1976, provides resources for indigenous students to have a hitch-free education. But over the past few months, awardees have continued to decry persistent delay.

It is an almost similar tale for Babaji Adams, a law student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUS). When Babaji got the scholarship, his inward fears about funding were assailed. For him, “This scholarship was a beacon of hope. It was meant to help with registration fees, accommodation, and basic survival in an economy that is already difficult.”

Eleven months down the line, meeting registration deadlines often reminds him and many of his colleagues of the pending scholarship, as hope was given that it would be paid. “Asides selling personal belongings, including his phones, this has caused emotional stress and financial trauma that could have been avoided,” said Babaji.

For many, the situation is made far worse by what they say questions institutional regard. Another colleague (also from UDUS) who prefers to be quoted anonymously for fear of retribution from concerned officials, said such a culture of delay raises yet another concern about the Umaru Bago-led administration.

According to him, “what makes this even more painful is that the leadership of Niger State, especially the Governor, is an alumni of my university which made us develop a very strong hope about the disbursement of the scholarship.’’ We all expected empathy and understanding, knowing firsthand the challenges students face, sadly, that expectation has not been met.” 

In a similar reaction, another source conversant with the too-many “soon” promises received when their documents were screened, said there hasn’t been a significant number of students that has benefitted from the scholarship.

“I dedicated a whole day for which I’m supposed to have dedicated my lectures at my faculty for the screening exercise,” the source told this reporter, remembering the day the government’s delegation through the Niger State Scholarship Board visited UDUS.

According to him, although the announcement of the approval of N1.5billion was earlier made by Comrade B. B. Shariff through the Office of the Director General of Students’ Affairs, it remains an audio promise.

In his words; ‘’early last year, the government mentioned that the funds had been approved for all Niger State students nationwide but to their surprise, the said funds have not been disbursed to either the beneficiaries or the scholarship board.’’ Students say the prolonged delay speaks volumes of the government’s commitment to education. 

“We are not asking for favors, we are asking for accountability. Once a scholarship is approved, students plan their lives around it. Failure to disburse it undermines trust and puts students’ education at risk. As students and indigenous people of Niger State, we respectfully but firmly express our disappointment and call on the government to urgently do the right thing,” said a beneficiary from the state’s NCE.

Student leaders now helpless

Considering its impact on education and national development, efforts were made to reach out to Ismail Abdulmalik Jagaban, the President of the National Association of Niger State Students, for comments on what could have gone wrong.

Explaining all that could be disclosed at the moment, Abdulmalik said; “The delayed scholarship for Niger State student indigenes is a serious concern for the association because many students depend on these funds for tuition, accommodation, and daily upkeep.”

When questioned on what their approach had been, he noted that several appeal letters have been submitted to different ministries to ensure that their demands are met.

“As representatives of the students, we have formally engaged relevant authorities and consistently followed up on the matter. We have emphasized the urgency of the situation, particularly considering the current economic realities facing students and their families.

“While we acknowledge that administrative processes may sometimes cause delays, we have clearly communicated the potential academic consequences if the disbursement is further postponed,” he explained.

Although, on grounds of institutional correspondence, requests to view the appeal letters submitted to relevant authorities, including the Commissioner of Finance and Education, were declined, a concerned Abdulmalik said their first letter had been submitted since December 12, 2025, while the last one was submitted on January 7, 2026.

Payment Underway, says Official 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official at the Niger State Scholarship Board assured that the government is working in favour of the students.

At the time of filing this report, information gathered indicates that the scholarship board can only proceed with disbursements on the government’s directive.

“As you are aware, we are State Civil Servants. All we do is implement government policies and programs as it may be laid down from time to time. As agents of government we await government direction on when to disbursed bursary to Niger State eligible applicants,” the official said.

When questioned about efforts made to track the progress of disbursement, the official said, “we have forwarded our records to the state Executive and other arrangements are already in place for immediate disbursement.”

“Pursuant to the foregoing, His Excellency, Farmer Umar MOHAMMED  Bago is working tirelessly to ensure prompt release of the approved amount for disbursement. Furthermore, any student with any kind of complaints can visit the Niger State Scholarship Board or contact any phone numbers on the Scholarship website.”