By Muhammad Sani Muazu
Bauchi, Nigeria – The North East Forum of Heads of Scholarships convened a follow-up meeting to the 29th Annual Coordination Meeting of Scholarship Heads held in Kano, with a focus on creating new frameworks for enhancing educational opportunities in the region. The meeting, which took place in Bauchi, brought together key stakeholders to discussc strategies for improving access to scholarships and expanding educational interventions for students in the region.
Dr. Abubakar Bukar, the Chairman of the North East Forum of Heads of Scholarships, expressed optimism about the forum’s efforts. “This meeting is a continuation of our discussion from Kano, where we gathered to coordinate efforts among federal and state scholarship boards. Our goal is to develop a comprehensive framework that will benefit the younger generation, particularly those in tertiary institutions,” Dr. Bukar stated.
He highlighted the crucial role of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) in the recovery and development of the region, emphasizing the need to focus on individual and community development through educational scholarships. “The NEDC has done a lot in terms of infrastructural development. Now, we are looking at how to support individuals and communities by creating more opportunities for education and scholarships,” he added.
Representing Bauchi State, Dr. Mahmood A. Garba, Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Scholarship Board, underscored the importance of this collaboration between the Federal Scholarship Board, the NEDC, and the six states’ scholarship boards. “This initiative is vital for identifying the educational needs of the region. We are looking to collaborate with other stakeholders, including international organizations and non-governmental bodies, to expand scholarship opportunities and address the educational challenges faced by youth in the Northeast,” Dr. Garba explained.
Maryam Umar, Country Manager and Business Development Officer at Al-Sadal Education Consultants, echoed these sentiments, noting the need for urgent intervention in the education sector. “The educational landscape in the Northeast requires significant attention. The scholarships currently being offered by all the states in the Northeast are not on par with what is being provided in other regions, like the Northwest,” she pointed out. She emphasized that if the discussions from the forum are implemented, the region could see transformative changes in educational outcomes.
The forum concluded with a collective resolve to pursue the expansion of scholarship opportunities and to collaborate with various partners to address the educational needs of the region. As Dr. Bukar noted, “Our expectations are clear: to create more opportunities for students to pursue their dreams through robust scholarship frameworks.”
With continued collaboration between government and private sectors, the forum hopes to pave the way for educational advancement in the Northeast, contributing to the overall recovery and development of the region.
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