Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved full funding for Master’s and PhD programmes for all First Class graduates of Ebonyi State University.
The governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, announced this in a statement on Friday.
He said the move is aimed at strengthening academic excellence and human capital development in the state.
Mr. Oketa described the decision as a continuation of the administration’s education-focused reforms.
According to the statement, the scholarship package will cover both indigenes and non-indigenes who graduated with First Class honours from the university.
The scholarship, according to Mr. Oketa, will cover research fees, housing allowance, and school fees.
The initiative, he noted, follows an earlier directive by the governor granting automatic employment to the same category of graduates as lecturers in the institution.
The combined policies are seen as a strategic effort to retain top academic talent within the state’s university system while also providing opportunities for advanced studies.
The media aide revealed that the state government’s investment in education is already yielding results internationally.
According to him, Ebonyi State scholars at Leeds Beckett University, who previously benefited from fully funded Master’s scholarships, have successfully completed their programmes and progressed to PhD studies.
Mr. Oketa said the development reflects a deliberate commitment by the Nwifuru administration to building a highly skilled workforce capable of driving long-term growth and development in Ebonyi State.
He noted that the policies not only reward academic excellence but also position the state as a model for sustainable investment in higher education.
The government also congratulated the scholars who have advanced in their academic pursuits, describing their achievements as a testament to the effectiveness of the scholarship programme.
