By Israel Adamu, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Tuesday launched the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme, approving the sponsorship of 200 Plateau indigenes to study Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Sanskaram University in India.The send-off ceremony, held in Jos, marked the official departure of the students selected for undergraduate degree programmes under the initiative, which the governor described as a long-term, merit-driven investment in human capital development.
Governor Mutfwang said the scholarship scheme was designed to secure the future of Plateau State by prioritising education, discipline, and global exposure for young people with proven academic excellence. He noted that the beneficiaries were drawn from the state’s three senatorial zones through a transparent and competitive process.“ This selection was strictly based on merit. It was not manipulated or influenced in any way,” Mutfwang said. “Everyone here earned their place through hard work and excellence, and the process was independently supervised by our partner university to ensure credibility.” He added that the first batch of beneficiaries was deliberately insulated from political, institutional, or quota considerations to reinforce fairness and trust in the programme.“We did not allocate slots to politicians, local governments, or institutions. Plateau State is blessed with some of the brightest minds in this country, and this programme is about recognising and nurturing that excellence,” the governor said.
Addressing the students, Mutfwang urged them to conduct themselves with discipline, integrity, and commitment to academic excellence, describing them as ambassadors of Plateau State and Nigeria. What you are receiving today are wings to fly. Remember where you are coming from, especially in moments of temptation. The future of Plateau State and Nigeria will depend on what you make of this opportunity,” he said.The governor also announced broader education sector reforms, revealing that the 2026 state budget includes provisions for a special research fund for Plateau indigenes in tertiary institutions. He disclosed plans to expand postgraduate programmes at Plateau State University and enhance support for Master’s and PhD research.“ This is only the beginning. We are deliberately investing in our institutions so they can compete at national and global levels,” Mutfwang said, reiterating his administration’s commitment to inclusive development regardless of religion or ethnicity.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Kachollom Pyam Gang, described the Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme as a historic milestone, noting that it was unprecedented for a sitting governor to sponsor 200 students for overseas studies at once.She said the beneficiaries gained admission into Sanskaram University through discipline and academic excellence, urging them to return with knowledge and the drive to contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.The Acting Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Scholarship Board, Mrs Nankus Adams Ngwalang, praised the initiative, describing it as the most impactful intervention the board had witnessed. She added that the administration had also increased bursary allowances and strengthened the board’s operational autonomy.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Mr Fabong Adanchin expressed gratitude to the governor, describing the scheme as transformative for families across the state. He said the programme had created opportunities for children from poor and vulnerable backgrounds to access quality education abroad. The event attracted government officials, parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, who urged the students to return with knowledge, excellence, and a renewed commitment to unity and development in Plateau State.
