Sani Bello Foundation Awards 2,601 Scholarships to Students in Nigeria and Abroad
The Sani Bello Foundation has awarded scholarships to 2,601 students in Nigerian and international institutions over the past eight years. The Foundation's program, which began in 2017, focuses on providing financial aid, mentorship, and career guidance to students from underserved communities, particularly in Niger State.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Sani Bello Foundation (SBF) has successfully awarded scholarships to 2,601 students in both local and international institutions over the past eight years. The Foundation, committed to promoting access to quality education, has been pivotal in offering financial aid to students from underserved communities.
Dr. Zakari Ikanni, Director General of the Sani Bello Foundation, disclosed the figures during the disbursement of scholarships to 501 students for the 2024/2025 academic session. This ceremony, which took place on Friday, marked another milestone in the Foundation’s mission to bridge educational gaps in Niger State and beyond.
Launched in 2017, the Sani Bello Foundation’s scholarship program focuses on supporting students from remote communities by providing tuition assistance, mentorship, and career guidance. This comprehensive approach ensures beneficiaries are equipped for academic and professional success.
Dr. Ikanni highlighted that since inception, SBF has impacted 2,584 students in Nigerian universities, including top institutions like Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBB University), Lapai; Sokoto State University; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; and Bayero University, Kano (BUK). The Foundation's reach continues to expand annually.
For the 2024 academic year, a total of 501 students received scholarships, marking one of the Foundation’s largest single-year contributions. The scholarship program covers a broad range of disciplines, including education, medicine, law, engineering, and social sciences. Notably, 169 students were supported in education, followed by 54 students in medicine and health-related fields.
Beyond local efforts, the Foundation extends its support internationally. Students from Nigeria pursuing studies in countries like Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sudan, China, and Niger have benefited from the program. Although smaller in scale compared to the local initiatives, the international scholarships remain a vital component of the Foundation's mission to provide educational empowerment across borders.
The Sani Bello Foundation's enduring dedication to enhancing education reflects its belief in the power of knowledge as a transformative tool for individuals and society.
