The Jigawa State Government has awarded foreign scholarships to six students, including winners of the National Quranic Recitation Competition and a finalist in an international Artificial Intelligence contest, to study at Integral University in Lucknow, India.
The beneficiaries departed Nigeria to pursue degree programmes in pharmacy, nursing and engineering under the state’s foreign scholarship scheme, according to Daily Trust.
Speaking at the departure ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Sa’id Magaji, said the students were selected on merit in line with the state government’s policy of rewarding excellence, particularly in Quranic studies and academic innovation.
He explained that the six students represented Jigawa State at the 38th and 39th National Quranic Recitation Competitions held in Niger and Kebbi states respectively, where they recorded outstanding performances in various categories.
He said, “In Jigawa State, we have a policy that allows students who excel at the National Quranic Recitation Competition to pursue foreign studies. These six students distinguished themselves and, as a result, the state government decided to sponsor them to study Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Nursing and Engineering at Integral University in India.”
Magaji disclosed that the state government approved N167.25 million to cover tuition fees, accommodation, living allowances, health insurance, air tickets and other related expenses.
He added that the government’s commitment to education was further demonstrated by the approval of N10 billion for the Scholarship Board in the 2026 budget.
