Edo Govt Secures N1.2bn Grant For Ambrose Alli Varsity

By Idahosa Musa

Benin City, Nigeria – Edo State Government on Monday, secured a N1.2 billion education grant from OPay Digital Services for Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

In her address to newsmen before the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Ms Sally Suleiman, Special Adviser to Governor Monday Okpebholo on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) said the feat was a reflection of the government’s commitment to inclusive education.

She said: “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which is ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

“We are honoured that Edo State has now joined this prestigious circle, ensuring that indigent students in Ambrose Alli University will benefit from this impactful program”.

According to her, the official signing of the MoU will feature the presentation of the first batch of scholarship awards to the university.

Suleiman expressed appreciation to OPay, describing the partnership as a “major step forward in dismantling financial barriers to education in the state.”

She also reaffirmed the state’s readiness to collaborate with private sector actors to accelerate the delivery of the UN SDGs.

“We thank OPay for their partnership and trust, and we remain focused on bringing development closer to our people through meaningful and measurable action,” she stated.

The grant, it was learnt is part of OPay’s national scholarship initiative — a decade-long Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment aimed at supporting indigent students in 20 tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

With the agreement, the State-owned AAU becomes the newest beneficiary of the initiative that aims to give hope to students from low-income families in Edo State.

The grant is expected to be shared amongst the 20 lucky tertiary institutions in the country.