Eno Links N200,000 Student Bursary to Second-Term Victory
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has promised to increase the annual bursary for students in public tertiary institutions from N50,000 to N200,000 if he secures re-election in 2027. Eno announced the proposed increase on Wednesday during a fireside chat on the second day of the Ibom Ignite 2026 Conference at Ibom Hall in Uyo. He said the new rate would take effect if he wins the February 2027 governorship election and begins another term on May 29, 2027. According to the governor, the proposed increase is intended to help students from less privileged backgrounds meet their educational expenses, including tuition-related costs. He also pledged to sustain free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels. Eno urged beneficiaries of the N50 million Ibom Ignite business grant to invest the funds in productive ventures, describing the money as seed capital that should be managed carefully to support business growth and improve their livelihoods. He warned that grants would serve little purpose if recipients failed to use them responsibly.
On social welfare, Eno said his administration had built more than 500 Compassionate Homes for vulnerable residents across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas, adding that beneficiaries received N500,000 business grants to support their livelihoods. He promised to construct an additional 1,000 Compassionate Homes and provide corresponding business grants across the state’s wards if re-elected. The governor said the proposed expansion would extend support to more residents in need, alongside his administration’s commitments to education and youth empowerment. The bursary increase and additional welfare projects remain campaign promises contingent on Eno winning a second term in the 2027 election. His announcement places student financial assistance, business development and support for vulnerable households among the priorities he says he intends to pursue if returned to office.
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