Foundation Sponsors 2,601 Students to Tertiary Institutions In Niger State

By Nura Mohammed, Minna

Two thousand, six hundred and one students (2,601) in Niger state have been sponsored to tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria over the past eight years by the Sani Bello Foundation.

The Director General of the foundation, Dr. Zakari Ikanni, disclosed this to newsmen in Minna, the state capital following the disbursement of local scholarships to 501 students for the 2024/2025 academic session.

He stated that the program, which began in 2017, targets students from underserved and remote communities in Niger State.
Beneficiaries receive comprehensive support, including tuition assistance, mentorship, and career guidance, to ensure they are well-prepared for academic and professional success.

“Since its inception, the Sani Bello Foundation (SBF) has been a catalyst for educational empowerment, providing local and international scholarships to deserving students from diverse backgrounds. The Foundation, established with the core mission of enhancing access to quality education, has consistently worked to bridge educational gaps by offering financial aid to individuals in need.

“From 2017 to 2024, the Sani Bello Foundation has significantly expanded its scholarship reach. In Nigerian institutions alone, 2,584 students have benefited from these opportunities. Key institutions like IBB University Lapai; Sokoto State University; Ahmadu Bello University; and Bayero University, Kano, have received ongoing support, with the number of beneficiaries growing each year.”

For 2024, 501 students received scholarships, marking one of the Foundation’s largest annual contributions.

In addition to its local impact, the Foundation also supports international scholars. Students pursuing studies abroad in countries such as Egypt, UAE, Sudan, China, and Niger have benefited from the scholarship programme.

While the international program is smaller in scale compared to local efforts, it remains a vital part of the Foundation’s mission, with several students sponsored each year since 2017.

The scholarship scheme covers a wide range of specializations, including education, medicine, law, engineering, and the social sciences.
In 2024, a notable 169 students were supported in the field of education, followed by 54 in medicine and health-related courses.