Joy as Rescued Niger, Kebbi Students Receive 2-Year Full Scholarship

Rescued students from recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi states have been offered a two-year full scholarship by an online education organisation to support their recovery and return to school amid ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria.

A wave of relief has spread across Niger and Kebbi states after an online learning organisation announced a two-year full scholarship for students recently rescued from mass abductions. The initiative is intended to support their recovery and help them safely return to school following their traumatic experiences.

The scholarship was unveiled during a press briefing in Abuja, where the organisation described the effort as a moral obligation to secure the educational future of children affected by repeated attacks on schools in northern Nigeria.

The edtech group behind the initiative, STEM-EduReach, led by founder Mamu Alhaji Muhammad, expressed concern over the worsening education crisis in the region. He highlighted that persistent insecurity, inadequate school infrastructure and severe teacher shortages continue to push more children out of school.

Muhammad noted that Nigeria currently has 350,000 teachers serving 46 million students—a troubling 130:1 ratio, far below the global standard of 20:1. Nearly half of these teachers are unqualified, and teacher attrition stands at 20%, widening learning gaps nationwide.

He also warned that the recent kidnappings in Niger and Kebbi have heightened parental fear, leading to further school closures and an increase in the number of out-of-school children. Even after rescue, he added, many students face post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can hinder their ability to learn and reintegrate into formal schooling.

All rescued students from both states are eligible for the scholarship, which includes academic and emotional support to aid their return to a safe learning environment.

Muhammad called on federal and state governments, development partners and civil society groups to intensify efforts to address insecurity and reform northern Nigeria’s fragile education system. “No child should be denied safe, equitable and quality education,” he said, noting that both state governments have been formally informed of the offer.

In a related development, bandits reportedly launched another attack in a Kebbi community just a day after 24 schoolgirls were rescued. While police said they were still confirming details, residents are calling for urgent deployment of security personnel. This marks the third major assault in the area within one month, following similar attacks in Gandun Wasagu and Bena.

READ ALSO: Fatal Kebbi Crash Claims Driver, Injures 13 University Students

SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, LEGIT