Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has announced an increase in the bursary allowance for students of Lagos origin, raising it from N50,000 to N60,000. Additionally, the scholarship grant has been raised from N200,000 to N225,000 for both indigene and non-indigene students of the state.
Sanwo-Olu made this announcement during a one-day interactive session titled “Students as Strategic Partners in the Governance Process: Challenges and Prospects for Youth Development” held on Tuesday in Ikeja. The session involved the governor, students’ union leaders, and stakeholders.
In addition to the increased allowances, the governor appointed four former leaders of the Student Union Government in Lagos tertiary institutions as special advisers. The appointees are Eniola Opeyemi, Kayode Samuel, Giwa Moor, and Adeola Adewunmi.
The decision to appoint these former student leaders followed a request made by the Lagos Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Lekan Alimi. He emphasized the importance of having student representatives in government to facilitate communication between the government and the student body.
In response to the request, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted, “They are important stakeholders in the governance of Lagos State,” urging them to believe in themselves.”
Tolani Sule, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, described the interactive session as “a further demonstration of Sanwo-Olu’sadministration’s commitment to quality tertiary education and youth development.”
He commended the management of Lagos-owned universities and the students for their efforts in maintaining peace and avoiding any unrest that could lead to the closure of state-owned institutions.
The commissioner also expressed gratitude to the governor for prioritizing student and staff welfare as well as initiating infrastructural development projects across various campuses.
