Foundation gives local, international scholarships to 2,601 students
The Sani Bello Foundation has sponsored 2,601 students to tertiary institutions in Nigeria and outside Nigeria in the past eight years.
The director general of the foundation, Dr Zakari Ikanni disclosed this to The Nation on Friday after the disbursement of local scholarships to 501 students for the 2024/2025 academic session.
He said that the programme, which began in 2017, focuses on students from underserved and remote communities in Niger state, adding that the beneficiaries receive comprehensive support, including tuition assistance, mentorship, and career guidance, to ensure they are well-prepared for academic and professional success.
“Since its inception, the Sani Bello Foundation (SBF) has been a catalyst for educational empowerment, providing both local and international scholarships to deserving students from diverse backgrounds.
“The Foundation, established with the core mission of enhancing access to quality education, has consistently worked to bridge educational gaps by offering financial aid to individuals in need.
“From 2017 to 2024, the Sani Bello Foundation has significantly expanded its scholarship reach. In Nigerian institutions alone, 2,584 students have benefited from these opportunities. Key institutions like IBB University, Lapai, Sokoto State University, and Ahmadu Bello University, Bayero University, Kano have received ongoing support, with the number of beneficiaries growing each year.
“For 2024, a total of 501 students received scholarships, marking one of the Foundation’s largest annual contributions. In addition to its local impact, the Foundation also supports international scholars. Students pursuing studies abroad in countries like Egypt, UAE, Sudan, China, and Niger have benefited from the scholarship.
“While the international program is smaller in scale compared to local efforts, it remains a vital part of the Foundation’s mission, with several students sponsored each year since 2017.”
The scholarship scheme spans a wide range of specializations, including education, medicine, law, engineering, and the social sciences.
In 2024, a notable 169 students were supported in the field of education, followed by 54 in medicine and health-related courses.
