Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, announced an increment in scholarships and bursaries for students of Lagos State origin in tertiary institutions.
He said his administration would pay N225,000 and N60,000 as scholarships and bursaries to indigene students, as against the existing N200,000 and N50,000 respectively.
The governor also announced scholarships for the less privileged and physically challenged students in public tertiary institutions, noting that the scholarship will not be limited to Lagos indigene alone.
He also announced the appointment of four former Students Union leaders as his Senior Special Assistants.
The appointed SSAs were Eniola Opeyemi, Kayode Samuel, Giwa Moore and Adeola Adewunmi.
Sanwo-Olu spoke during a one-day Interactive session between him and Students Union Leaders and Stakeholders in Lagos State, organised by the Ministry of Tertiary Education, with the theme: “Students as Strategic Partners in the Governance Process: Challenges and Prospects for Youth Development.”
The event, held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, was attended by members of the state cabinet, stakeholders in the tertiary education sector and delegates from 13 public tertiary institutions in Lagos State, according to a statement by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.
Speaking during the interactive session, which lasted for over three hours, Sanwo-Olu said his administration would continue to engage students constructively and enhance infrastructure in public institutions.
He said his administration would continue to develop an enduring and sustainable ecosystem to create a liveable as well as workable environment for students in all the public tertiary institutions in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of the interactive session, Sanwo-Olu said the meeting was “apt because of the trending events in our State and Nigeria. It is a confidence-building process between the government and the governed. It is an opportunity for students and other stakeholders to vent their feelings, opinions, and suggestions on how to overcome challenges confronting our collective existence as a people.”
Speaking earlier, Lagos State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr. Tolani Sule, commended Sanwo-Olu for his support, assuring that the ministry would sustain the legacy of excellence.
He said, “A stakeholder engagement like this becomes necessary in view of the noble role that our youths have to play in our development agenda. I, therefore commend Mr. Governor for giving accelerated approval to this programme, knowing fully that our youths hold the key to a greater tomorrow for our dear country.
“In spite of the present social economic challenges in the country, it is gratifying to note that the Lagos State government has continued to sustain the tempo of excellence in our tertiary institutions. Students and staff welfare have remained a top priority of the State government while various infrastructural development projects are either completed or ongoing across our campuses.
“This is leadership at play. In the last four and half years of this administration, it is remarkable to note that not any of our institutions have witnessed any student unrest nor staff industrial disharmony to warrant strike or closure of any of the State-owned institutions
“Our academic calendars have been running smoothly since the beginning of this administration. We have continued to enjoy unprecedented stability in our academic calendars in the last four years. To me, it is a reflection of leadership quality and administrative excellence at the helm of affairs.”