By Ibrahim Muhammad
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth development, announcing an investment of nearly N8.1 billion in scholarships in the 2025 fiscal year.
The governor made the disclosure on Thursday during the launch of the 2026 Danmodi Students Care Mega Programme held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Dutse.
According to him, the scholarship intervention covers almost 35,000 students studying in various institutions across Nigeria and abroad, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the state’s future.
“Today, we stand at the crossroads of opportunity and progress, for which we remain ever committed to supporting and nurturing our youth to achieve their dreams,” Namadi said.
He revealed that the scheme includes more than 230 students currently studying at prestigious foreign universities, with a strong focus on critical fields such as Medicine and Engineering.
The governor explained that the scholarship programme is designed not only to ease the financial burden on families but also to build a pool of highly skilled professionals who will contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Jigawa State.
Namadi reiterated that education remains a top priority of his administration, stressing that sustained investment in human capital development is key to long-term growth and prosperity. He assured that no qualified student would be denied access to higher education due to financial constraints.
The governor described the Danmodi Students Care Initiative as one of the most impactful programmes of his administration, noting that it has evolved into a transformative and comprehensive intervention aimed at empowering students from diverse backgrounds across all levels of education, including Almajiri pupils in traditional Qur’anic schools.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Muhammad Salisu Seeker, said that within two and a half years, the Danmodi Students Care Programme has directly benefited over 250,000 students.
He stated that as part of the 2026 Mega Programme, thousands of beneficiaries received various forms of support, including the distribution of educational materials and school uniforms to 25,000 out-of-school children, as well as 300 bicycles and wheelchairs to secondary school students and children with disabilities to improve access to education.
Other interventions include the distribution of 100 laptops to Jigawa students at the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, and the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, as well as the empowerment of 2,500 Almajiri pupils and 287 Qur’anic school teachers in line with the state’s inclusive education policy.
Governor Namadi urged beneficiaries to maximise the opportunities provided and called on stakeholders to sustain collaboration in improving education standards across the state, emphasising that no child must be left behind.
