Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has sponsored 200 students to India under the newly introduced Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme, marking one of the largest overseas education programmes by the state government.
The students were sent off on Tuesday in Jos and will study courses in Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Information and Communication Technology at Sanskaram University, India.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mutfwang said the initiative was a deliberate investment in human capital and insisted that the selection process was strictly based on merit.
“This process was not manipulated or influenced in any way. Everyone selected is here because of hard work and excellence,” the governor said.
He explained that the screening exercise was independently conducted by the Indian university, with no political or institutional interference.
“We did not allocate slots to politicians, local governments or institutions. Plateau has some of the brightest minds in this country, and we insisted on a purely merit-based process,” he added.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to remain disciplined and uphold good values, describing them as representatives of Plateau State and Nigeria.
“What God is giving you through us are wings to fly. Devote yourselves to excellence, because the future of Plateau State and Nigeria will depend on you,” he said.
Mutfwang also revealed that his administration had rolled out new education reforms in the 2026 budget, including a special research fund for Plateau indigenes in tertiary institutions, expanded postgraduate programmes at Plateau State University, and increased support for Master’s and PhD research.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Kachollom Pyam Gang, described the scheme as unprecedented in the state’s history, noting that no previous administration had sponsored up to 200 students abroad at once.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Scholarship Board, Nankus Adams Ngwalang, also said the programme was the board’s most significant intervention so far, citing improved bursaries and wider scholarship access.
One of the parents, Mr Fabong Adanchin, praised the governor for prioritising merit.
“I did not support you in the last election, but good leadership won me over. My son is going to India purely on merit,” he said.
Traditional and religious leaders present encouraged the students to return with skills and knowledge that would drive development and promote unity in Plateau State.
