Senator Karimi Makes Good Promise of N300m Statewide Bursary to Kogi Students for Tinubu Support Group/Sunday Steve Karimi Education Foundation
The Sunday Steve Karimi Education Foundation (SSKEF), in conjunction with the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), has commenced the disbursement of N300m bursary to students across Kogi State.
It is the second of its kind by the SSKEF.
The maiden edition had covered 1,000 students, mainly of Kogi West Senatorial District origin in public tertiary institutions within Nigeria, to enable them access the 2024 bursary scheme worth N100m. This amount was disbursed amongst 1,390 beneficiaries across the seven local government areas in Kogi West zone.
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However, in June 2025, the SSKEF under the aegis of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) announced plans to extend the bursary awards to Kogi Central and East Senatorial Districts. In line with this arrangement, the Foundation had called for applications from students from Kogi Central and Kogi East targeting 610 and 1000 students from the two zones, respectively. Bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 3000.
Both initiatives were funded by Senator Sunday Karimi, who represents Kogi West.
“This year’s edition of the bursary awards is an improvement to the maiden edition in 2024 when 1,000 students benefitted, limited to students from Kogi West alone. Originally, the Kogi West yearly scheme was designed to last the four-year tenure of the lawmaker in the 10th Senate”, Karimi’s Media Team stated on Friday.
According to Karimi’s Media Team, “The 2025 edition of the bursary of which disbursement commenced on Tuesday, 20th January, 2026, successful beneficiary have started receiving N100,000, across the state.The bursary application link (www.sundaykarimi.org) officially opened on the 1st of August, 2025, and closed on the 31st of August, 2025. Only undergraduate students in public tertiary institutions (University, Polytechnics, Monotechnics, and Colleges of Education) are eligible. Beneficiaries from the 2024 bursary are not eligible. Those who received the bursary in 2024 were not permitted to apply. We have all the 2024 beneficiaries in our database. Students in private higher institutions are not eligible. Students in the final year are not eligible. Any student who failed to upload or fill out all required information in the application forms is not considered. Any student who applied before August 1st was automatically disqualified. Only those who applied online and through the link provided above were considered”.
Nonetheless, the media team revealed that every applicant was subjected to an equal screening process, including those without JAMB admission. “However, those recommended by the local government subcommittee will all receive their payment. We have beneficiaries from the College of Education Technical, Mopa, who do not have JAMB numbers or registration”.
The statement added, “Senator Sunday Steve Karimi remains committed to empowering students through financial assistance, promoting academic excellence, and contributing to the overall development of Kogi State. The seamless disbursement of this year’s bursary is in fulfilment of Senator Karimi’s earlier promise of a transparent, fair, efficient, and equitable process for all applicants”.
It will be recalled that in June, 2025, Senator Karimi, during a paley with Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja, as part of activities marking his second year in the 10th Senate, had disclosed that he had concluded arrangements to disburse N300million as bursary to students across Kogi State.
He stated during the parley, “Last year (2024), I gave bursary of N100million to Kogi West students, but today, with the 96 Wards in Kogi East, I have concluded arrangements to give out N100m as bursary to them.In Kogi Central where we have 57 Wards, I will give Kogi Central N61m as bursary while I will also give N139m to Kogi West students in the names of Tinubu Support Group and Senator Sunday Steve Karimi Education Foundation. This will amount to a total of N300m. That is what we are going to do, and it has started already”.
*Senator Karimi As Mold-Breaker*
Senator Sunday Karimi is breaking the mold. Despite being a Senator elected to speak for and represent Kogi West in the Senate, he has gone beyond just representing Kogi West to backing the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), an integral partner in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, further bringing relief and boundlessly supporting Kogi State students.
*Karimi’s Bursary Scheme: A Lifeline for Kogi Students*
A promise made and fulfilled within a short time. Senator Sunday Karimi, once again, has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to education and human capital development through the successful implementation of the 2025 students’ bursary scheme, with beneficiaries already receiving their payments across Kogi State.
The bursary programme, designed to ease the financial burden on students and their families, recorded an overwhelming response from across the three senatorial districts of the state.
*Bursary Statistics at a Glance:*
Over 10,000 students applied. 3,000 applicants met the eligibility criteria and were approved.
Distribution by Senatorial District:
Kogi Central: 610 beneficiaries
Kogi East: 1,000 beneficiaries
Kogi West: 1,390
This transparent and inclusive distribution reflects Senator Karimi’s belief in fairness, equity, and balanced development across all zones of Kogi State.
Beyond the numbers, observers are of the view that the bursary initiative represents hope, encouragement, and renewed motivation for thousands of students who can now focus better on their academic pursuits without the heavy pressure of financial constraints.
“Senator Karimi has continued to prove that leadership is about impact, not promises. By investing directly in education, he is investing in the future of Kogi State and Nigeria at large”, noted an observer, “Education remains the strongest foundation for sustainable development, and Senator Sunday Karimi is proudly laying that foundation”.
*Students, Parents Express Appreciation Following Bursary Disbursement*
Students who benefited from the recently disbursed bursary scheme and their parents have continued to pour out messages of appreciation, acknowledging the timely and impactful intervention facilitated by Karimi. The beneficiaries described the support as a thoughtful and life-changing gesture that has significantly eased the financial pressures associated with their academic pursuits.
According to several students, the bursary arrived at a crucial period, enabling them to meet essential academic obligations such as payment of tuition fees, procurement of learning materials, and other study-related needs. Many emphasized that the assistance has allowed them to refocus on their education with renewed confidence and peace of mind.
The steady flow of appreciation messages reflects the far-reaching impact of this initiative and underscores Senator Sunday Karimi’s enduring commitment to human capital development, educational advancement, and youth empowerment. The bursary scheme stands as a clear demonstration of purposeful leadership and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students in today’s academic environment.
Adebowale Ayobami Emmanuel, a student of Kogi State University, Lokoja, Faculty of Science, who hails from Yagba West Local Government Area acknowledged the receipt of bank alert for Karimi’s bursary on Thursday. He thanked the lawmaker for supporting and empowering students across Kogi State at a time when many parents struggle with the burden of payment of school fees on their shoulders, describing Karimi as “Godsent”.
Another beneficiary, Hezekiiah Obajemu, wrote: “I just received an alert of N100,000 this evening after my lecture. God bless Senator Karimi abundantly. I am short of words. Thank you for this great opportunity and help shown to me.”
In his testimony, Atakolo Onalo, a Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna lecturer, thanked Sunday Karimi Foundation for the bursary awarded to his daughter, who is a student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria. “This is the first major support from a political cycle in Kogi State, and my family and I do not take this for granted. Thank you, Distinguished Senator Sunday Karimi. We are grateful,” he stated via his social media account.
Kareem Enoch, from Ejuku, Yagba East Local Government Area, who said his son has received his bursary from SSKEF, declared: “May God continue to strengthen Honourable Karimi. May he continue to enjoy that office. Enemy within and enemy without will not prevail over him”.
Muhammad Munir, a student of Kogi State Polytechnics from Kotonkarfe, described the bursary support as a help, which “truly came at a very critical time.”
He added: “To be honest, my landlord has been on my neck over rent, and I was already losing sleep, not knowing where the next solution would come from.
This bursary lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders and gave me hope when things were getting overwhelming. It is not just the money— it is the relief, encouragement, and proof that our leaders can still remember people at the grassroots. I am deeply grateful, sir. Your support has made a real difference, and I pray God rewards you for remembering people like us when it mattered most”.
James Jibrin Nelson, a student of ABU, Zaria, in a letter he addressed to Senator Karimi noted that his heart was full of gratitude to the SSKEF “for the generous financial support of N100,000 awarded to me. Thank you for having students at heart. ”
Nelson, who hails from Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kogi East Senatorial District, added: “This support goes far beyond money; it is a seed of hope, encouragement, and reassurance that dreams are valid and help truly comes when one least expects it. I believe this same hope has been planted not only in my life but also in the lives of many other beneficiaries. For some time, I have been trusting God for a laptop to aid my academic research, which aligns deeply with my passion and long-term goals. Just when I was on the verge of giving up on this dream, this support came through. It felt like divine reassurance that my efforts and aspirations are seen. With this fund, I will be able to acquire a manageable laptop for now, enabling me to continue my research work effectively. I am confident that the impact of this support will extend far beyond me and will always bear witness to your benevolence and commitment to empowering students.
May God continually increase you beyond your widest imagination and reward your generosity with lasting fulfilment.”
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 24TH 2026)
