Senator Austin Akobundu, representing Abia Central Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding access to higher education by declaring that no child in the district should abandon education because of poverty.
The lawmaker made the commitment while presenting scholarships to 114 students drawn from various tertiary institutions, describing education as the most powerful investment any society can make in securing its future.
Under the scholarship programme, each beneficiary received ₦200,000 to support tuition and other academic expenses, while the senator also approved the payment of ₦7.2 million in tuition fees for students of a teachers’ training institute as part of efforts to strengthen teacher education and human capital development in the district.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Senator Akobundu said his intervention was inspired by the belief that financial hardship should never deprive any deserving child of the opportunity to acquire quality education.
According to him, “No child in Abia Central should quit school because of poverty.” He stressed that every young person deserves the opportunity to pursue education and realise his or her full potential irrespective of economic background.
The senator described education as the foundation of national development, noting that investments in students today would produce future leaders, professionals, innovators and entrepreneurs capable of transforming society.
He urged the beneficiaries to remain focused on their academic pursuits and to justify the confidence reposed in them through excellence, discipline and good character.
Akobundu also advised the students to avoid cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice and other social vices that could jeopardise their future, encouraging them instead to become ambassadors of integrity within their institutions and communities.
He noted that the scholarship scheme forms part of his broader commitment to youth empowerment and human capital development across Abia Central, adding that education remains one of the most effective tools for reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing the financial support as timely, particularly amid rising tuition costs and the increasing cost of living.
Several students said the scholarship would ease the burden on their parents and guardians while enabling them to concentrate fully on their studies without the constant fear of financial constraints interrupting their education.
Education stakeholders also commended the initiative, noting that scholarship programmes remain essential in addressing the growing challenge of students dropping out of school because of economic hardship.
They observed that although governments continue to invest in education, support from elected representatives, private organisations and philanthropists plays a significant role in ensuring that financially disadvantaged students complete their education.
According to the stakeholders, targeted scholarship interventions not only improve access to higher education but also contribute to reducing educational inequality and promoting social mobility.
They further called on political office holders, corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to emulate Senator Akobundu’s example by investing in educational programmes that expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The latest scholarship award comes amid renewed national conversations on improving access to education and tackling poverty-related school dropouts, with experts emphasising that sustained investment in learners is critical to building a skilled workforce and achieving long-term national development.
