Nigeria’s First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has urged scholarship beneficiaries to develop skills beyond classrooms, urging that academic excellence must be complemented with practical knowledge for national development.

She gave the advice during the National Scholarship Programme (NASP) Tertiary Education: Mid-Term Assessment and Interactive Session with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Scholars in Abuja on Tuesday.

Tinubu said education funding must go beyond financial aid, stressing that students should cultivate extra skills and income streams to secure their future.

According to her, scholarships are not just about numbers but about building lives with meaning, hence beneficiaries must remain resourceful and resilient even after graduation.

“We cannot start a scholarship scheme and then abandon it midway. It is not about numbers; it is about raising good students we can mentor.”

According to her, the money given is a lot, but that does not mean you should fold your arms. Add to it, acquire skills, earn extra, and think outside the box,”she said.

Tinubu further encouraged students not to despise humble beginnings.

“Even if you start small, it is a business. Do not be ashamed. Rise up and do something extra. What we work for, we appreciate more,” she said.

The first lady announced that over 5,500 students had benefitted, with an additional 1,500 laptops and a third tranche of funds approved for disbursement within the week.

She assured students that even if political circumstances change, the scholarship scheme would not be abandoned.

She therefore commended the Minister of Education, Dr Morufu Alausa and the Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA) Malam Kashifu Abdullahi for their support.

Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, in her goodwill message, praised the first lady’s foresight and motherly role in championing educational support for Nigerian youths.

Shettima recalled her personal commitment to mentoring over 200 girls in her state, explaining how an initial N5 million support inspired her to establish a learning centre.

She urged beneficiaries to embrace mentorship, discipline, and self-development, while also exploring opportunities like the National Student Loan to further their academic and professional growth.

Shettima also called on wives of governors to sustain collaboration to nurture a generation of responsible, skilled, and innovative leaders for Nigeria’s future.

The Wife of Imo State Governor, Mrs Chioma Uzodinma, also commended the scholarship scheme.

Uzodinma, also the National Secretary of RHI recalled that the scholarship scheme was launch on Aug. 26, 2023, with 47 indigent students awarded annual scholarships worth ₦1 billion for their entire study duration.

She noted that beneficiaries had received two tranches of funds in 2023 and 2024, maintaining the required GPA of 3.0 and above to remain eligible.

The governor’s wife announced that the third tranche of funds was being disbursed, alongside new laptops donated by the NITDA.

She expressed appreciation to NITDA for its consistent support and urged students to remain focused, resilient, and committed to excellence in their academic pursuits.

“We celebrate all our scholars for their dedication. Through this, we expand our shared commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through education,” Uzodinma said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that new laptops and the sum of one million naira were present to the students. (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab