Adamawa Govt partners Staje to sponsor 200 indigent students abroad in landmark human capital drive

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Samuel Torlumun, Abuja

In a bold move to strengthen human capital development and position Adamawa State for long-term economic growth, the Adamawa State Government has partnered with Staje Educational Services to launch the Adamawa Strategic Scholarship Program, an ambitious international scholarship scheme targeting indigent but academically outstanding students.

Dr. Vivian Victor, Director Staje Educational Services

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Dr. Vivian Victor, Director of Staje Educational Services, disclosed that the initiative is designed to sponsor qualified Adamawa indigenes to pursue postgraduate studies in selected foreign universities across Australia, Canada, and Uzbekistan.

According to Dr. Victor, the scholarship program is being implemented through a transparent, merit-based selection process coordinated by the Adamawa State Scholarship Trust Fund, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Staje Educational Services. Applicants were drawn from a widely advertised state scholarship portal and subjected to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) as well as internationally recognized IELTS examinations conducted by IDP.

“Only candidates who met the academic and language requirements were selected, endorsed by the state, and placed in approved international universities,” she explained.

200 Students to Benefit in Pilot Phase

The program’s pilot phase targets 200 indigent students, primarily for Master’s degree programs in strategic disciplines such as mining, agriculture, ICT/Artificial Intelligence, architecture, and medical sciences. Dr. Victor noted that these sectors were deliberately chosen to align with Adamawa State’s development priorities and workforce needs.

The scholarship is expected to commence immediately following government approval and budgetary release, with the first batch of beneficiaries entering foreign universities in the next academic admission cycle.

Education as a Tool for Economic Transformation

Dr. Victor emphasized that the initiative was born out of an urgent need to address youth unemployment, poverty, and restiveness through education.

“The motivation is clear,” she said. “Education remains the strongest driver of sustainable development. By equipping young people with globally relevant skills, Adamawa State is investing not just in individuals, but in its future economy, healthcare system, food security, and technological advancement.”

She added that the program aligns with both Adamawa State’s development agenda and the Federal Government’s human capital vision.

Shared Investment, Long-Term Returns

Contrary to assumptions that the scholarships are entirely free, Dr. Victor clarified that the program is a shared investment. Staje Educational Services has negotiated tuition discounts of up to 20 percent with partner universities, while the Adamawa State Government covers the remaining tuition, living expenses, insurance, travel, and logistics.

The estimated cost per student, excluding flights, stands at ₦14.27 million, bringing the total projected expenditure for 200 students to approximately ₦2.854 billion, with flight costs calculated separately based on destination and academic calendar.

“This is not expenditure—it is investment,” Dr. Victor stressed. “The returns will be seen in skilled manpower, reduced dependence on external consultants, and sustainable economic growth.”

Built for Sustainability

Addressing concerns about sustainability over the 4–5 years of study duration, Dr. Victor explained that the program incorporates phased sponsorship, strong government oversight, and long-term budget planning. Beneficiaries will also be required to sign a return-service bond, committing to serve Adamawa State for a minimum of three years after graduation.

“This ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired abroad are reintegrated into state institutions and local industries,” she said.

A Model for Other States

Dr. Victor called on other state governments across Nigeria to adopt similar strategic scholarship models, urging them to see education funding as a development tool rather than a financial burden.

“States should invest in sectors aligned with their local economic strengths and partner with credible education facilitators to ensure transparency and global standards,” she said, adding that Adamawa State’s initiative can serve as a blueprint for nationwide human capital development.

Supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda

On the role of Staje Educational Services in national education policy, Dr. Victor noted that the organization actively supports the educational vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Our work complements government efforts in skills acquisition, innovation, technical education, and global competitiveness through public-private partnerships and international education linkages,” she concluded.

As Adamawa State positions itself at the forefront of strategic education investment, the Adamawa Strategic Scholarship Program stands as a significant step toward building a skilled, globally competitive, and development-driven generation of Nigerians.