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By Our Reorter

The Deacon Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Organisation has issued a sharp call to the Delta State Government, demanding a comprehensive review of its student bursary scheme and an immediate increase in individual payments to N100,000 to counter the crippling effects of rising educational costs.

In a statement released on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its Director-General, Dr. Alfred Mulade, the campaign organisation for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate also urged the government to abolish the N800 non-refundable processing fee currently charged to students applying for financial assistance.

While commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for awarding a N50 million scholarship to Miss Ogheneovo Davina of Model Technical College, Oghareki, the organisation stressed that this singular act of recognition must be part of a broader, more sustainable support system.

The group raised serious concerns over reports that some beneficiaries of the Students Special Assistance Scheme (SSAS) receive as little as N19,500, describing the sum as woefully inadequate in the current economic climate.

“We are equally concerned that students applying for financial assistance must pay a non-refundable N800 processing fee,” the statement read. “While administrative costs may arise in operating the scheme, the government should explain why students seeking financial relief must bear this charge and whether it can be waived.”

Citing the state’s proposed 2026 budget, the organisation noted that N850 million was earmarked for the SSAS, up from the N750 million approved in 2025. It called for greater transparency in the management of these funds, including the publication of annual beneficiary figures, actual disbursements, and individual payment amounts.

The campaign organisation challenged the state government to disclose the actual amount paid to beneficiaries and to explain when the bursary scheme was last reviewed.

“Recognising individual excellence and providing broad-based educational support are not competing responsibilities. Both are important,” Dr. Mulade stated. “Miss Davina deserves her recognition. Thousands of other Delta students also deserve a transparent, accessible, and sustainable system of educational assistance.”

The group maintained that Delta State’s future depends on sustained investment in education through policies that directly address the financial challenges facing students and their families, urging the government to implement a realistic funding plan to raise bursary payments to N100,000 per student.