A remarkable 1,975 students have applied for just 500 bursary awards initiated by Senator Jarigbe Agom, highlighting the significant demand for educational support in Cross River North senatorial district.
The bursary scheme, which offers N100,000 to each successful applicant, targets undergraduate students under 30 years of age who are studying outside Cross River State. Applications were accepted through a dedicated online portal that was originally scheduled to remain open for 24 hours.
However, the portal received an overwhelming response, reaching nearly 2,000 applications within just 16 hours – a clear indication of the pressing financial challenges facing students in the region.
Transparent Selection Process
The initiative specifically targets undergraduates from the five local government areas in Cross River Northern senatorial district: Ogoja, Yala, Obanliku, Bekwarra, and Obudu.
In a statement released by the bursary award committee, the selection process was described as transparent and apolitical. "This system is blind to affiliations, knows no political party, is unbiased and wants to support education in Cross River North, regardless of leaning," the committee emphasized.
The initiative comes at a critical time when many Nigerian families are struggling with the rising cost of education. Community observers have praised Senator Agom's initiative as a timely intervention that addresses a genuine need among students from the northern senatorial district.
With a competition ratio of nearly 4:1 for the available slots, the high number of applicants underscores the financial challenges facing Nigerian students and the importance of educational support programs in the current economic climate.
The N100,000 bursary represents significant assistance for many students, potentially covering essential educational expenses such as textbooks, accommodation, and other academic materials.
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