Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has approved the release of ₦1.3 billion for the payment of bursaries to eligible students, while raising the state’s bursary award from ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 per beneficiary in a move aimed at easing the rising cost of higher education and strengthening human capital development.
The approval was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, 14 July, 2026, by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, who described the intervention as a significant investment in the educational future of the state’s youth.
According to the government, the increased bursary is designed to cushion the financial pressures facing students amid persistent inflation and rising education-related expenses, including tuition, accommodation, transportation and learning materials.
The statement said the approval reflects Governor Eno’s commitment to expanding access to quality education while ensuring that students from Akwa Ibom can pursue tertiary education with greater financial support.
“This landmark approval underscores the Governor’s commitment to easing the financial burden on students, expanding access to quality education, and investing in the future of Akwa Ibom’s young people,” the statement said.
Under the new arrangement, eligible students of Akwa Ibom origin enrolled in accredited tertiary institutions across Nigeria will receive ₦50,000, representing a 150% increase from the previous bursary of ₦20,000.
The latest disbursement fulfils a commitment made by Governor Eno in December 2025, when he announced that the bursary would be increased effective from January 2026 as part of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, a development strategy that places education, youth empowerment and human capital development at the centre of economic growth.
Education analysts say student support programmes have become increasingly important as households grapple with higher living costs and inflation, which have significantly increased the cost of tertiary education nationwide. While bursary schemes may not cover the full cost of studying, they can reduce financial barriers and help improve student retention and completion rates.
The bursary programme forms part of a broader education agenda pursued by the Akwa Ibom State Government. Beyond annual bursary payments, the administration has established a ₦100 million Education Intervention Fund for students living with disabilities and has continued to provide support for state-owned tertiary institutions to improve learning infrastructure and educational outcomes.
The government said the latest funding demonstrates its long-term commitment to developing a skilled workforce capable of supporting the state’s economic growth and attracting future investment.
As implementation begins, eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive the enhanced bursary, providing additional financial relief for thousands of students pursuing higher education across Nigeria.
