Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, says President Tinubu’s decision to announce scholarships for students from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) should not be regarded as a waste of national resources.
President Bola Tinubu’s move sparked criticism back home, with some angry Nigerians questioning the rationale behind the decision despite the alarming number of out-of-school children in the country.
In a post shared on his X handle on Wednesday, Sani hinted that the scholarship scheme is part of a broader cooperation framework between Nigeria and the OECS.
The senator added that the initiative aims to deepen people-to-people ties and expand collaboration in education, trade, and development.
”When Nigeria offers scholarships for St Lucia students to study in Nigeria, I read comments from people who think we should not give because we have our problems.
”They need to be enlightened that all the countries that give aid, grants and scholarships to Nigerians also have their problems, but they choose to give.
”You don’t help others only when you don’t have problem, you help others because it’s human or brotherly to help., Cuba has been under sanctions for 60 years and is still giving our students scholarships,” he said.
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, revealed that a joint implementation committee comprising representatives from Nigeria and OECS member states will oversee the r.
Their task will be to finalise modalities and ensure that beneficiaries commence studies in Nigeria next academic year.
