Iyovwaye’s Campaign Organisation Demands Review Of Bursary, Non-refundable Processing Fee

ASABA — The Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Organisation has commended Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for awarding a landmark ₦50 million educational support fund to Miss Ogheneovo Davina of Model Technical College, Oghareki.

The Campaign Organisation also called on the Delta State Government to implement a broader, more sustainable system of educational assistance for thousands of other students across the state.

In a press statement issued today, Tuesday, October 13, signed by Dr Alfred Mulade, Director-General of the campaign organisation (NDC, Delta State 2027), and made available to DAILY INDEPENDENT, the group emphasized that recognizing individual academic excellence and providing broad-based student support are dual responsibilities that should not compete with one another.

The NDC Delta State Governorship Candidate campaign organisation also stated that while Miss Davina fully deserves her recognition, thousands of other Delta students are grappling with surging tuition fees, accommodation expenses, transportation costs, and other economic pressures.

The statement highlighted the Students Special Assistance Scheme (SSAS) as a crucial state intervention, but raised critical concerns regarding the adequacy of individual bursary payouts.

Citing reports that some student beneficiaries receive as little as ₦19,500, the organisation challenged the Delta State Government to clarify the exact current amount payable to each student, disclose when the payout structure was last reviewed, and explain how it aligns with current economic realities.

Furthermore, the campaign organisation expressed strong concerns over the requirement that students applying for financial assistance must pay a non-refundable ₦800 processing fee.

The statement read: “We are equally concerned that students applying for financial assistance must pay a non-refundable ₦800 processing fee. While administrative costs may arise in operating the scheme, the government should explain why students seeking financial relief must bear this charge and whether it can be waived.”

While acknowledging that administrative expenses are tied to running the Scheme, the campaign organisation questioned why students already seeking financial relief should bear this burden and called on the authorities to evaluate whether the fee can be waived.

Drawing attention to state fiscal allocations, the statement noted that the proposed 2026 budget earmarked ₦850 million for the Students Special Assistance Scheme, an increase from the ₦750 million approved in 2025.

“According to the state’s proposed 2026 budget, ₦850 million was earmarked for the Students Special Assistance Scheme, compared with ₦750 million approved for 2025. These allocations make it important for the public to understand how much reaches individual beneficiaries and whether the support provided is sufficient,” the statement read in part.

According to the Organisation, these figures make it imperative for the public and stakeholders to understand how much money directly reaches individual beneficiaries and whether the allocated support is sufficient.

To ensure transparency and long-term viability, the Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Organisation put forward a number of key recommendations for the Delta State Government:

It suggested that firstly, the State Government should undertake a transparent review of the bursary programme, including a serious consideration to scale individual awards up to ₦100,000, backed by a realistic funding and implementation plan.

The Campaign organisation also urged the Delta State Government to publish annual beneficiary statistics, actual disbursements made, individual award values, and the historical record of adjustments made to the Scheme.

The organisation concluded by stressing that the future of Delta State relies heavily on consistent, reliable investment in education, driven by policies that directly address the financial realities confronting students and their families.

The statement read further: “Recognising individual excellence and providing broad-based educational support are not competing responsibilities. Both are important.

“Miss Davina deserves her recognition. Thousands of other Delta students also deserve a transparent, accessible and sustainable system of educational assistance.

“Delta State’s future requires consistent investment in education, supported by policies that respond to the financial realities facing students and their families.”

Source: INDEPENDENT