In a landmark move that has captured national attention, Distinguished Senator Dr. Mohammed Sani Musa, CON, representing Niger East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has flagged off the departure of 100 beneficiaries of his International Scholarship Programme. These exceptional students, selected through a rigorous screening process, are set to leave Nigeria in two batches on August 25 and 26, 2025, to begin their academic journeys in India.
The scholarship, widely hailed as a masterstroke of visionary leadership, offers full funding in high-demand fields such as medicine, engineering, and information technology. It is not merely an educational opportunity—it is a strategic investment in the future of Niger State and Nigeria. At the pre-departure briefing, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Kagara, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, urged the students to uphold discipline, focus, and excellence, describing the initiative as a life-altering opportunity that carries the hopes of an entire region.
The programme has already drawn high-level endorsements. Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, announced automatic employment for all beneficiaries upon graduation, alongside a generous donation of $2,000 to each student and ₦1 million to their parents. He praised Senator Musa as “a visionary leader making Niger proud” and pledged to expand the initiative with additional slots for study in China.
Senator Musa, affectionately known as “Musa 313,” has built a reputation for delivery and compassion. His development footprint includes classrooms, healthcare centres, ICT hubs, water supply schemes, rural electrification, and a 1,000-capacity lecture theatre at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University’s Institute of Continuing Education and e-Learning Center in Paiko.
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Musa has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s fiscal transformation. He championed landmark tax reform bills—including the Nigeria Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board Bill—designed to streamline revenue collection and strengthen national finances.
His legislative record is equally formidable, with over thirty bills targeting structural reform and institutional resilience. These include the National Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, the National University of Health and Medical Sciences (Suleja) Bill, the Constituency Delimitation Centre Bill, and the Bill to Regulate Employment in the Informal Sector (SB 629), which seeks to formalize domestic work and internships.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Senator Musa declared: “This scholarship is not just about sending our children abroad; it is about preparing leaders who will return with knowledge, skills, and values that will transform our communities and our nation.”
The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago, former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and other dignitaries joined parents and stakeholders in applauding the initiative. The beneficiaries, selected from over 600 applicants, underwent academic verification, drug testing, and background checks to ensure integrity and merit.
As the students board their flights to India, they carry more than luggage—they carry the dreams of a state, the legacy of a leader, and the promise of a future reimagined.
