…Beneficiaries get N225,000 each as state targets LASU, LASUTECH, LASUED, others
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government has launched a Special Scholarship for Inclusion Awards targeted at students living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in its tertiary institutions, reaffirming its push for educational inclusiveness and social equity.
Twelve beneficiaries from six Lagos-owned tertiary institutions LASU, LASUTECH, LASUED, LASCOHET, LASCOCO, and LASCON received letters and cheques worth N225,000 each as part of the programme’s pilot phase.
Speaking at the formal flag-off event held at the Radio Lagos/Eko FM Multipurpose Hall, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, said the initiative was designed to ensure that no student is excluded from the pursuit of education due to physical or financial vulnerability.
He explained that the Lagos State Scholarship Board created the special scheme to give students with disabilities and others in disadvantaged categories a fair chance, knowing they may not compete equally in the general bursary and scholarship pool.
Sule praised the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Scholarship Board, Mrs Rasheedat Adaranijo, for vigorously advancing the board’s mandate and ensuring the governor’s inclusiveness vision is reflected in real policy action.
He described the awardees as “proof that inclusion is not just rhetoric in Lagos State, but a practical and measurable commitment.”
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, congratulated the Board and its partners for the milestone, noting that this is the first time in the Board’s history such a scheme is being implemented.
He said the state government, through the Social Protection Unit, has been working with various agencies including the Scholarship Board and Office of Civic Engagement to ensure that the social register captures all categories of vulnerable residents.
According to George, the distribution of scholarships to physically challenged and economically disadvantaged students underscores the state’s commitment to social infrastructure just as much as it does road and physical development.
He called on all stakeholders and donor partners to support similar interventions for long-term impact.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Rasheedat Adaranijo said the flag-off marked a new chapter in the history of the Board.
She explained that the scholarship represents a bold step under the THEMES+ agenda to close the educational gap and uplift underrepresented groups.
Adaranijo stated that beyond financial relief, the award reaffirms the Lagos State Government’s belief in the ability of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) to achieve excellence in education and contribute meaningfully to society.
She thanked key collaborators including Mr. Ope George, Special Adviser Mr. Olalekan Balogun, and LASODA General Manager Mrs. Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal for supporting data access and verification that enabled the Board to implement the scheme with precision.
Also addressing the audience, Mrs. Oyetunde-Lawal of LASODA applauded the synergy between agencies that birthed the initiative and urged beneficiaries to remain focused and prove their worth.
She told the students that their performance would determine the continuity and success of the programme in the future, encouraging them to “show that there is indeed ability in disability.”
She expressed optimism that the pilot beneficiaries would be empowered enough to finish their studies with improved quality of life and become ambassadors of inclusion within and beyond the campus environment.
Additional goodwill messages came from Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Olalekan Balogun, and the Senior Special Assistant on Student Affairs, Hon. Kapo Samuel, who both reiterated the state’s focus on inclusive development.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Miss Yekini Bukola expressed deep gratitude to the Lagos State Government and the Scholarship Board, saying the funds would ease their academic burdens and inspire them to aim higher.
