Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has promised to increase the annual bursary for students in public tertiary institutions from ₦50,000 to ₦200,000 if re-elected for a second term in 2027.
Eno announced the proposed increase during a fireside chat on Wednesday at the Ibom Ignite 2026 Conference held at Ibom Hall, Uyo.
The governor said the new bursary rate would take effect if he wins the February 2027 governorship election and is sworn in for another term on May 29, 2027.
He explained that the planned increase was aimed at easing the financial burden on students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and helping them meet tuition and other educational expenses.
According to him, the current bursary of ₦50,000 represents an earlier increase in the state government’s financial support for students.
Eno also pledged to sustain free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels.
Beyond education, the governor urged beneficiaries of the ₦50 million Ibom Ignite business grant to invest the funds in productive ventures rather than spend them on personal gratification.
He described the grants as seed capital for business development and encouraged recipients to manage the money responsibly to build sustainable businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking on his administration’s social welfare initiatives, Eno said more than 500 Compassionate Homes had been built for vulnerable residents across the state’s 31 local government areas.
He added that beneficiaries of the programme had also received ₦500,000 business grants to support their livelihoods.
The governor promised to construct an additional 1,000 Compassionate Homes and provide corresponding business grants across the state’s wards if re-elected.
The proposed expansion of the bursary scheme and the housing initiative forms part of Eno’s pledges ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Their implementation will depend on his re-election and subsequent government action.
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