Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 2024 (TheGavel) – Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has awarded scholarships to 107 students, including foreign students, indigent students, and students with special needs, as part of its commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in society. This was disclosed by Auwalu Umar, the Director of Public Affairs at the university, in a statement released on Friday.
The scholarship scheme, which is part of the university’s effort to uphold its founding principles of inclusivity and educational empowerment, saw a total of 49 postgraduate foreign students, 42 undergraduate foreign students, 10 Nigerian students, and six undergraduate indigent students benefit from the program.
According to the statement, the Vice-Chancellor of ABU, Prof. Kabiru Bala, emphasized the significance of the scholarship scheme, stating that it was in line with the vision of the university’s founding fathers, who envisioned an institution that provides opportunities for people from all walks of life. “The university remains committed to opening its doors to men and women of different races and backgrounds,” Bala said.
Prof. Bala, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Raymond Bako, stressed that the scholarships would not be provided in cash but rather through various forms of academic and financial support. He highlighted that the university’s aim was to assist students in excelling in their studies. “The scholarships are meant to ease the academic burden and enable the beneficiaries to focus on their studies and achieve excellence,” he stated.
In a special message to students with disabilities, Bala added, “There is always ability in disability, and the sky is the starting point for all students with special needs.” He assured them that ABU remains dedicated to supporting their academic journey.
Prof. Bala also encouraged the foreign students who received the scholarships to make the most of their time at ABU and to represent the institution positively in their home countries upon completion of their studies. He expressed confidence that these students would contribute to strengthening the university’s global reputation by being excellent ambassadors abroad.
The Director of the Counseling and Human Development Center, Dr. Sa’adatu Muhammad-Makarfi, also spoke at the event, outlining the university’s decision to align tuition fees for both foreign and indigenous students. “Foreign students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, now pay the same amount as Nigerian students to reduce the financial burden on them due to the current harsh economic situation in the country,” she explained.
Dr. Muhammad-Makarfi also revealed that ABU had gone the extra mile to fully cover tuition fees and accommodation for some students with special needs. In cases where students had already paid their tuition, the university provided accommodation support to ease their financial challenges. “We are committed to ensuring that students with special needs face fewer obstacles in their academic journey,” she added.
In response to the university’s support, Mustapha Yahaya, the President of the Students with Special Needs Association, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of his colleagues. He praised the university for recognizing and addressing their unique challenges and providing much-needed assistance. Yahaya, however, appealed to the university management to extend the scholarship program to more students with special needs, as their numbers continue to grow within the institution. “There are more than 15 students with special needs at ABU, and we hope that the scholarship can be expanded to accommodate others,” Yahaya said.
The scholarship scheme is a reflection of ABU’s long-standing commitment to promoting academic excellence while providing support for students who might otherwise struggle to complete their education due to financial constraints. By offering scholarships to both foreign and indigenous students, the university continues to foster a culture of inclusivity and international collaboration.(NAN)
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