Gusau: The Sen. Abdul'aziz Yari Scholarship Initiative Committee in Zamfara has announced the allocation of N216 million for the payment of school fees for 2,055 orphans and indigent students for the first year.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the announcement was made by the Chairman of the Publicity Sub Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Danmalikin-Gidangoga, during a news briefing in Gusau. Initiated by Yari in 2024, the scholarship committee aims to support orphans and children from less-privileged families in their pursuit of tertiary education.
Danmalikin-Gidangoga highlighted that the committee intends to sponsor the education of these students until they complete their respective courses at various levels in different institutions. He stated, "The Yari's scholarship committee is currently sponsoring 2,055 students comprising male and female beneficiaries drawn from across the 14 local government areas of the state."
The students are enrolled in a variety of courses at 19 public and private tertiary institutions throughout the North-West states. Of the total, 1,704 students are attending 16 public universities, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Zamfara University, Talata Mafara, and the Federal University Gusau. Over 300 other students are being sponsored at private universities, such as North-West University, Sokoto, Al'Istiqama University, Sumaila in Kano State, and a private College of Health Sciences and Technology in Gusau.
The committee, which began its operations in 2024, is solely funded by Yari. Danmalikin-Gidangoga also mentioned that Yari has approved a monthly allowance of N15,000 for each beneficiary. "Therefore, the committee will pay arrears of N15,000 monthly allowances to the students from January to July, 2025," he explained.