… Namadi pledges deeper investment in human capital as state funds full scholarship

By Umar Akilu Majeri, Dutse

Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has officially launched the second phase of the Danmodi Students’ Care 2025 Scholarship Programme, awarding full academic scholarships to 801 students across various disciplines and academic levels.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Dutse, Governor Namadi said the programme, which covers both tuition and living expenses, is part of his administration’s strategic plan to deepen access to quality education and drive long-term economic transformation through human capital development.

“Education remains the bedrock of national development. Our investment in young people today is an investment in the future of Jigawa State and Nigeria at large,” he said.

The 2025 edition includes 150 Master’s students, 50 pursuing PhDs, 400 undergraduates, 30 medical students, and 151 women studying health-related courses, in line with the state’s push to improve healthcare and gender equity in education.

Governor Namadi urged recipients to prioritise their studies and use the opportunity to become agents of development in their communities and beyond.

In addition to the scholarship scheme, the governor highlighted his administration’s broader educational reforms, notably a recent initiative that trained over 1,000 students in artificial intelligence, positioning Jigawa as a future hub for technology and innovation.

“We are preparing our youth for the future by investing not only in traditional education but also in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and digital technologies,” Namadi noted.

Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isah Yusif Chamo, disclosed that Jigawa State has committed over ₦67 billion to the education sector in the current fiscal year—one of the largest allocations in the state’s history.

He said the funding supports infrastructure, scholarship schemes, research grants, and the recruitment of qualified personnel in higher institutions.

Also speaking, the governor’s Senior Special Advisers on Students’ Matters emphasized that the Danmodi scholarship is part of a long-term blueprint to create a highly skilled and globally competitive workforce.

“This is about laying a strong foundation for economic growth by nurturing the intellectual potential of our youth,” one adviser stated.