Oluremi Tinubu assures continued support as RHI disburses ₦1m to students

By Kunle Sanni –

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that all 47 beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) National Scholarship Programme (NASP) complete their education without financial setbacks.

Speaking during a mid-term assessment and interactive session with the scholars in Abuja on Tuesday, Mrs. Tinubu said the scheme goes beyond politics and is focused on shaping lives. “This is not about politics, it is about people’s lives. No matter the duration of your course, the RHI will see you through,” she assured.

Each scholar, drawn from the 36 states, the FCT, and selected associations including DEPOWA, NOWA, NAOWA, POWA, and NCWS, as well as four rescued students from Dutsin-Ma, received ₦1 million and a brand-new laptop under the third tranche of the programme.

The First Lady also encouraged the students to acquire additional skills and explore entrepreneurial opportunities. “Look for what you can do to earn extra income without affecting your studies. To those of you who have started small businesses, keep at it,” she advised.

The Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, stressing that formal education is pivotal to success. Similarly, the Wife of the Imo State Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, encouraged them to cultivate the habit of saving, while her Kwara State counterpart, Amb. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, suggested research assistance roles in academic institutions for those less inclined to entrepreneurship.

Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the scholarship extends beyond financial aid, describing it as a “life-changing process.” He explained that the laptops provided would enable students to access digital learning and skill-building opportunities via the NITDA platform.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, commended the initiative and reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to youth and education. He disclosed that in the last two years, the federal government had awarded scholarships worth ₦4 billion to over 8,500 students.

He further revealed that more than 500,000 students had benefited from the student loan fund, with ₦100 billion already disbursed, describing the RHI scholarship as a complementary effort to ensure access to education.