Kogi Law Students Praise Governor Ododo for Historic Bursary Award

The National Association of Kogi State Law Students of Nigeria (NAKOLSON) has expressed deep appreciation to Governor Usman Ododo for approving a bursary allowance of ₦300,000 for Kogi State citizens currently studying at the Nigerian Law School. The association described this gesture as both unprecedented and historic.

In a statement signed by the President of NAKOLSON, Ismail Salifu, the association commended the governor for his understanding of the financial challenges faced by law students, calling the bursary a much-needed relief for the beneficiaries.

Salifu remarked: “We cannot fully express our gratitude for what the governor has done. This is not just historic, but deeply meaningful and heartwarming for us. We never expected this approval, especially since such provisions were not made for previous cohorts of law students.”

He continued, “While we were aware that students from wealthier states typically received bursaries ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦250,000, we set our expectations within those limits, if at all a bursary would be approved. However, Governor Ododo exceeded our expectations by approving ₦300,000—a sum that is truly remarkable.”

Salifu also highlighted the timely nature of the intervention, noting the financial hardship many students face in light of the country’s current economic challenges. “The news came at just the right time. Many of our peers were forced to borrow money from their families to fund their Law School admission. On campus, students are struggling to meet basic needs due to the economic strain. Governor Ododo’s support is not only a financial relief but a demonstration of his genuine concern for students’ well-being.”

He further acknowledged the role of Hon. Raji Afolabi, Chairman of the Kogi State Scholarship Board, for his meticulous efforts in ensuring that the bursary was disbursed to the eligible students.

In addition to the bursary, NAKOLSON praised Governor Ododo for his continued support of education in the state, particularly his commitment to covering examination fees for students. This includes the recent approval of ₦600 million to cover the WAEC fees for 18,734 students in public secondary schools across Kogi State. The association emphasized that these efforts have ensured that no student is left behind in accessing critical educational opportunities, reinforcing the governor’s commitment to securing a brighter future for Kogi youth.