In a significant move to alleviate the financial burden on students from Ondo State, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has commenced the payment of outstanding bursary and scholarship arrears to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, Secretary of OSOPADEC, announced that a total of ₦320 million has been disbursed to undergraduate students from the Ilaje and Ese-Odo local government areas. “The payment aligns with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s directive to prioritize the well-being of students in the state,” she stated, noting that all outstanding bursary and scholarship arrears for students across various tertiary institutions in the country have been cleared.
During the cheque presentation at the Commission’s headquarters in Oba-Ile, Bayo-Ilawole also revealed that an additional ₦53 million was recently disbursed to 343 students pursuing PGD, MSc, and PhD degrees. Each undergraduate received ₦50,000, while postgraduate students received ₦150,000 each.
The secretary emphasized the thorough verification process to ensure the authenticity of beneficiaries, preventing the inclusion of ghost students.
“To date, the Commission has spent a total of ₦373 million on 5,928 students,” she disclosed.
Bayo-Ilawole praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his swift action and commitment to advancing the education of indigent students from the state’s oil-producing communities. “His actions are highly commendable,” she added.
Expressing gratitude, Taiwo Olajide Samuel, a postgraduate student from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, thanked the Governor for supporting their educational development. He also appreciated the Secretary for maintaining the initiative, stating,
“The bursary payments will motivate students to achieve more.”
