The Kogi State Government has set aside N1.5 billion for 2026 bursary allowances for students of Kogi State origin.

State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, disclosed this while unveiling the online registration portal in his office, Lokoja, yesterday.

The Commissioner said, “We are here to unveil the registration portal to mark the commencement of the 2025/26 bursary allowances disbursement processes for Kogi State students across the country.

“And I used the opportunity to call on all eligible undergraduates from the state to take advantage of the opportunity to register, create an account, and benefit from the benevolence of the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.”

Hon. Jones said, “The State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, had, in demonstration of his care for students of state origin across the country, made available N1.5 million in the 2024/25 academic year as bursary allowances.

He said, “When the portal for the online registration process was opened last year, over 400,000 Kogi students applied for the allowances, but at the end of it only 8,170 applications were successful and got paid.

“That of last year was used to test the success of the online processing; there is going to be great improvement in subsequent ones. That is why we are calling on Kogi students in all tertiary institutions across the country to register and enjoy the bursary allowances.”

While handing over the sensitisation materials to the leadership of the Kogi State Students Association, the Commissioner said, “It is the desire of the government that the students’ union leaders use these sensitisation materials widely to make sure the 2026 beneficiaries surpass those of the 2024/25 session.”

He emphasised that only students who complete the registration processes will benefit from the allowances.

Earlier, while demonstrating the online registration procedure, the Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board (KSSB), Mr. Afolabi Joseph, said, “The online registration process has been simplified and can be done on your mobile phone from anywhere in the country.”

In his remarks, the President of the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Comrade Sunday Adeola, assured the State Government that the association will embark on a vigorous sensitisation campaign in all tertiary institutions in the country to mobilise all Kogi students to register for the online bursary scheme.

Adeola expressed deep appreciation to the State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his unwavering commitment to the welfare of undergraduates.