Students across Kogi State are set to benefit from a landmark ₦300 million bursary initiative and a new digital examination centre, as Senator Sunday Steve Karimi pushes forward with plans to improve access to education and digital learning infrastructure.
Speaking during a media briefing hosted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja, Senator Karimi described the intervention as “a bold investment in the future of Kogi’s youth.” He said the projects are tailored to eliminate both financial and infrastructural barriers that limit educational opportunities across the state.
“Education is the bedrock of development,” Karimi said. “We must ensure that no student is left behind simply because they cannot afford to pursue their dreams.”
Breakdown of the Bursary Scheme
The bursary programme named the Tinubu Support Group and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi Students Bursary Award 2025 builds on a previous ₦100 million disbursed in Kogi West.
The expanded ₦300 million initiative now covers all three senatorial zones, with the funds distributed as follows:
Kogi East (96 wards): ₦100 million
Kogi Central (57 wards): ₦61 million
Kogi West: ₦139 million
“My bond of service to the people remains intact,” the senator said. “This bursary is not just a handout; it’s an investment in the academic and economic stability of our communities.”
Alongside the bursary, Karimi is spearheading a ₦160 million Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre project at Titcombe College, Egbe, in partnership with the school’s old students association. The goal is to reduce the stress and cost of travelling long distances for computerised exams, especially for students in remote areas of Kogi West.
Students currently travel to Ajaokuta, Ilorin, or even Niger State for their JAMB examsa challenge the new centre seeks to resolve.
The CBT centre is equipped with 275 brand-new laptops that have already been delivered, supported by a 30KVA solar inverter system to ensure steady electricity supply.
A 43.5KVA generator will serve as backup power, while a high-speed internet infrastructure is being set up to enable seamless online examinations.
In addition, the water system within the school is being rehabilitated, and the entire facility will be protected with perimeter fencing and enhanced security wiring to provide a safe and functional learning environment.
“This CBT Centre is more than a building, it’s a gateway to opportunities,” Karimi remarked. “We are not just funding education; we are building lasting infrastructure that our children and their children can benefit from.”
NUJ Applauds the Initiative
The NUJ hailed the Senator’s efforts as a model of impactful leadership, describing the dual initiative as a bold step toward building human capital and closing the digital gap in education.
As the CBT centre nears completion and bursary disbursements continue across the state, Senator Karimi’s intervention offers hope to thousands of students eager to pursue their dreams without the weight of financial and infrastructural hurdles.
