The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Bayero University Kano has awarded scholarships to 18 indigent students as part of its annual Indigent Student Scholarship Scheme.
The programme, which is part of ASUU’s broader commitment to inclusive education, targets students who demonstrate academic excellence but struggle financially.
At the award ceremony held Tuesday in Kano, the ASUU-BUK Chairperson, Dr. Ibrahim Tajo-Siraj, emphasized that the scholarship was not just a financial gesture, but a symbol of the union’s belief in equity and access to education.
“At ASUU, we are not just lecturers, but mentors and builders of society,” he said. “This scholarship is one of the ways we ensure that no student is left behind because of financial hardship.”
Nationally, ASUU gives ₦200,000 to two students per branch. At BUK, the union went further by awarding 16 additional students ₦100,000 each, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 18. The scholarship fund is generated solely from voluntary monthly deductions from the salaries of ASUU members.
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“Our members are not rich,” Tajo-Siraj explained, “but we believe in the power of collective sacrifice to uplift others.”
The BUK branch has sustained the programme for over a decade. Many past recipients have gone on to graduate and contribute meaningfully to society, he said.
The Vice Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Abbas, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Aliyu Mu’azu, applauded the initiative. He encouraged ASUU to continue collaborating with the university’s management to improve visibility for such noble causes.
Prof. Muhammad Waziri, who convened the scholarship committee, disclosed that over 100 students applied for the scholarships this year, highlighting how competitive the process has become.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, one of the beneficiaries, Muhammad Adamu, expressed gratitude to the union. “We are deeply grateful to ASUU for this timely assistance. May God continue to strengthen the union in its selfless service to students,” he said.
The ASUU scholarship, driven purely by member donations, remains a shining example of how university staff can directly impact student lives and foster hope through education.
NAN
