Thousands of Niger State students are left in financial limbo as promised scholarships remain undelivered months after approval, exposing a widening gap between government assurances and reality.

Haruna Cole’s joy knew no bounds when he first heard that the Niger State government would support the education of indigenous students. For him, it felt like long-awaited relief. Life at Niger State Polytechnic had grown increasingly difficult—tuition was no longer affordable, and each semester brought new financial strain. The scholarship seemed like a lifeline. What he did not know then was that the promise would prove elusive.

It began with his registration in March 2025. After uploading his NIN, birth certificate, school ID, payment receipt, indigene certificate, and acknowledgment letter to the Niger State Scholarship Board portal, a long silence followed. Still, the successful submission of his application, along with being among those physically screened by officials, rekindled a cautious optimism.

Ten months later, that optimism has curdled into frustration. Haruna recalls hearing credible assurances that disbursement would be made in three batches if all went well. But nothing has come. Instead, the delay has pushed him into a difficult financial position.

“I am in need of it. I completed my application in May 2025, and since then, I’ve held on to hope,” he said.

Under the scheme, beneficiaries are typically entitled to school fees coverage and a monthly stipend from the state government. “As a bona fide indigene of Niger State, I feel deeply disheartened by the government’s failure to disburse the 2025 scholarship stipend, despite its official approval,” Haruna added. “This inaction has caused serious hardship.”

He is far from alone. Thousands of undergraduates awarded bursaries for the 2024/2025 academic session remain in limbo. Established in 1976, the Niger State Scholarship Board was designed to support indigenous students in pursuing education without interruption. Yet in recent months, beneficiaries have increasingly voiced frustration over persistent delays.

Babaji Adams, a law student at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, described a similar experience. The scholarship, he said, initially eased his fears about funding his education. “It was a beacon of hope—meant to cover registration, accommodation, and basic survival in an already difficult economy.”

Eleven months later, those expectations remain unmet. Deadlines come and go, each one a reminder of the unfulfilled promise. “I’ve had to sell personal belongings, including my phone,” he said. “It’s caused emotional stress and financial trauma that could have been avoided.”

For many students, the issue extends beyond financial strain. It has become a question of institutional credibility. Another student at UDUS, who requested anonymity for fear of repercussions, said the delays have shaken confidence in the Umaru Bago administration.

“What makes it more painful is that the governor is an alumnus of this university,” the student said. “We expected empathy and understanding, given that he knows these challenges firsthand. That expectation hasn’t been met.”

Others point to repeated assurances that have yet to materialize. One student recalled spending an entire day away from lectures to attend the screening exercise when officials from the scholarship board visited UDUS.

“The government announced that ₦1.5 billion had been approved for students nationwide,” the source said. “But to date, nothing has been disbursed—not to beneficiaries, not even to the board. It’s not just a delay; it’s a contradiction.”

Students argue that such delays undermine trust in public institutions. “We are not asking for favors—we are asking for accountability,” one NCE student said. “Once a scholarship is approved, students plan their lives around it. Failing to disburse it puts our education at risk.”

Efforts to seek clarity have yielded little. Ismail Abdulmalik Jagaban, President of the National Association of Niger State Students, described the situation as deeply concerning.

“Many students depend on these funds for tuition, accommodation, and daily upkeep,” he said.

According to Abdulmalik, multiple appeal letters have been submitted to relevant ministries since December 2025, with the most recent sent in January 2026. While acknowledging that administrative processes can cause delays, he warned of serious academic consequences if the issue persists.

An official at the Niger State Scholarship Board, speaking anonymously, maintained that the government is working to resolve the issue.

“As civil servants, we implement government policies as directed,” the official said. “Disbursement depends on government authorization.”

The official added that records have been forwarded to the state executive and that arrangements are being made for payment. “The governor is working to ensure the prompt release of the approved funds,” they said, encouraging students with concerns to contact the board.

Reporter’s note: Some names have been changed to protect identities.