Governor says jobs await beneficiaries after graduation, urges them to return home with skills to develop Taraba
By Taraba News
JALINGO, September 20, 2026 — Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has bid farewell to 100 indigenes of the state sponsored by the government to undertake postgraduate studies in India, describing the initiative as a major investment in the state’s human capital and future development.
The Governor spoke at a send-forth dinner organised by the Taraba State Government in honour of the beneficiaries ahead of their departure for India.
Governor Kefas, who was represented at the occasion by the Member representing Wukari I Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Jethro Yakubu, assured the beneficiaries that opportunities would await them in Taraba upon completion of their Master’s degree programmes.
He said the decision to sponsor the students was driven by the administration’s belief that education remains one of the most important investments any government can make in preparing young people to take responsibility for the future of the state.
According to him, when he assumed office in 2023, he met a Scholarship Board that had become largely inactive, prompting his administration to revive the institution and reposition it to provide greater opportunities for Taraba students.
The Governor said the current intervention was part of a broader education policy aimed at expanding access to quality education while developing a pool of highly skilled professionals capable of contributing to the state’s economic and social transformation.
He recalled that his administration had introduced free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary school levels and reduced tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions by 50 per cent.
Governor Kefas said the sponsorship of 100 first-class and second-class upper graduates to pursue postgraduate studies abroad represented another milestone in the administration’s human capital development agenda.
He described the programme as unprecedented in the history of the state, particularly because of the number of graduates being sponsored simultaneously for advanced studies outside Nigeria.
The beneficiaries, according to the state government, were selected from the 16 Local Government Areas of Taraba State.
The Governor stressed that the selection was based on merit, insisting that the process was designed to give qualified Tarabans an opportunity to benefit irrespective of political, social or personal connections.
«“There is no godfatherism, no politics and no connections in this process. It is strictly based on merit,”»
he said.
The scholarship programme is fully funded by the Taraba State Government and covers major expenses associated with the students’ studies abroad, including tuition, transportation, accommodation, feeding, study materials and other logistics.
The beneficiaries are expected to pursue postgraduate programmes in strategic disciplines, including engineering, computer science, medical and paramedical sciences, agriculture and other fields considered important to the manpower needs of the state.
Governor Kefas explained that the choice of disciplines was deliberate, stressing that the objective was not simply to send students abroad for academic qualifications but to produce professionals whose expertise could be deployed to address some of Taraba’s most pressing developmental challenges.
«“We need you to come back and fix our hospitals, build our roads, power our ICT revolution and transform our agriculture. That is why jobs are waiting for all of you when you return,”»
the Governor said.
He urged the beneficiaries to approach their studies with discipline and dedication and to see the opportunity as both a personal privilege and a responsibility to the people of Taraba State.
The Governor further charged them to be worthy ambassadors of Taraba and Nigeria throughout their stay in India, advising them to respect the laws, culture and traditions of their host country.
«“Do not ‘Japa’ and forget Taraba. The State is investing in you so that you can, in return, invest in the State,”»
he added.
He also expressed appreciation to the parents and guardians of the beneficiaries for the sacrifices made in educating and supporting their children, assuring them that the state government would continue to prioritise the welfare and academic success of the students.
Earlier reports on the programme indicated that the 100 beneficiaries had undergone the necessary screening and preparation for their studies, with the government describing the intervention as part of efforts to strengthen Taraba’s manpower base in critical sectors.
The scholarship initiative is also expected to expose the beneficiaries to international academic environments, advanced research methods, modern technologies and professional practices that could be adapted to local development needs when they return to the state.
The government has previously indicated that the programme could also provide opportunities for the beneficiaries to contribute their expertise to institutions and sectors within Taraba after completing their studies.
The send-forth ceremony therefore marked not only the departure of the 100 students for further education but also what the administration described as a long-term investment in the state’s pool of professionals.
The Governor reaffirmed that his administration would continue to pursue policies aimed at making education more accessible to Tarabans while strengthening institutions responsible for scholarship and human capital development.
He said the ultimate objective was to ensure that beneficiaries of government-funded educational opportunities return to contribute their knowledge, skills and experience to the advancement of Taraba State.
The beneficiaries are expected to commence their postgraduate programmes in various universities and institutions in India following the completion of their travel and admission arrangements.
For the 100 students, the programme represents an opportunity to acquire advanced qualifications and international exposure. For Taraba State, the government expects the investment to translate into a stronger workforce capable of contributing to healthcare, infrastructure, technology, agriculture, education and other key sectors of the state’s economy.
The Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Barr. Zainab Usman Jalingo, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to educational development and human capital investment, saying the state would continue to support initiatives that expand opportunities for Tarabans and prepare young people for meaningful contributions to society.This version gives the story a stronger newspaper lead, development angle, human-capital angle and future-impact ending, while retaining the key statements from the Commissioner’s release.
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