Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has sponsored 200 students to India under the newly launched Mutfwang Legacy Scholarship Scheme, marking one of the largest foreign education interventions in the state’s history.
The beneficiaries will study Medical Sciences, Engineering, and Information and Communication Technology at Sanskaram University, India. They were formally sent off on Tuesday at a ceremony held in Jos, ahead of their admission.
Merit-Based Selection, Historic Scale
Governor Mutfwang described the initiative as a strategic investment in human capital development. He said the selection process was transparent and free from political interference.
“This process was not manipulated or influenced in any way. Everyone selected is here because of hard work and excellence,” the governor said.
He disclosed that the screening exercise was independently supervised by Sanskaram University. He added that beneficiaries emerged strictly on merit.
“We did not allocate slots to politicians, local governments, or institutions. Plateau has some of the brightest minds in this country, and we insisted on a purely merit based process,” Mutfwang stated.
Students Charged, Education Reforms Unveiled
The governor urged the students to conduct themselves with discipline and integrity. He reminded them that they were ambassadors of Plateau State.
“What God is giving you through us are wings to fly. Devote yourselves to excellence, because the future of Plateau State and Nigeria will depend on you,” he said.
Traditional and religious leaders at the event urged the students to return with skills that would drive development and unity in the state.
Mutfwang also disclosed fresh education-sector reforms captured in the 2026 budget. These include a special research fund for Plateau indigenes in tertiary institutions, expansion of postgraduate programmes at Plateau State University, and increased support for Master’s and PhD research.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Kachollom Pyam Gang, described the scheme as historic. He said no previous administration had sponsored 200 students abroad at once. This view was echoed by Nankus Adams Ngwalang, Acting Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Scholarship Board.
Speaking on behalf of parents, Fabong Adanchin praised the governor’s commitment to merit-based governance.
“I did not support you in the last election, but good leadership won me over. My son is going to India purely on merit.”