The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Council in Ebonyi State has called on the state government to publish detailed records of beneficiaries and expenditure under its foreign and local postgraduate scholarship programme.
The demand was made by Chief Emmanuel Igwe, spokesperson for the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, following reports that another batch of Ebonyi scholarship beneficiaries had travelled to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies.
Igwe acknowledged that the scholarship initiative could support human capital development in the state but argued that the programme requires greater public disclosure because it is funded with taxpayers’ money.
He urged the Ebonyi State Government to release the names of beneficiaries, their institutions and courses, as well as details of tuition, accommodation, living allowances and the total amount spent on each scholar.
According to him, publishing the information would enable residents to understand how public funds are being deployed under the programme.
“Ebonyians have the right to know how much public money is being committed to this programme,” Igwe said.
The PDP spokesperson also called for clarification of the financial figures associated with the Ebonyi postgraduate scholarship scheme.
Reports indicate that the state government’s programme is designed to support 1,000 postgraduate students, comprising 300 beneficiaries for overseas studies and 700 for postgraduate programmes in Nigerian universities.
The Chairman of the Ebonyi State Scholarship Board, Chief Chaka Nweze, reportedly restated the figures in June 2026.
The 2026 Ebonyi State budget also reportedly allocated N20 billion to scholarships, including N15 billion earmarked for foreign scholarships and N5 billion for local scholarships.
Igwe said the scale of the allocation makes it necessary for the government to provide a detailed account of how the funds are being spent.Igwe said the scale of the allocation makes it necessary for the government to provide a detailed account of how the funds are being spent.
He asked the government to clarify the universities attended by the beneficiaries, tuition charges, accommodation expenses, living allowances and the amount already released under the programme.
Igwe said the PDP’s concerns should not be interpreted as opposition to the education or human-capital development of Ebonyi youths.
He maintained that the party supports investment in education but wants public funds committed to the scholarship scheme to be properly accounted for.
“Education is an investment. Nobody should oppose investment in the education of Ebonyi youths. But because it is public money, every naira must be accounted for,” he said.
He further alleged that the absence of comprehensive public records could leave the scholarship programme open to questions about its implementation. However, he said any allegation of financial misconduct should be established through documentary evidence.
The latest demand comes amid reports that another group of Ebonyi scholars has departed for the United Kingdom under the state’s overseas postgraduate scholarship programme.
Earlier reports stated that 98 beneficiaries made up the second phase of the overseas scholarship initiative, with the state government saying the package covers tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
Igwe said publishing the relevant documents would provide an opportunity for the government to address questions surrounding the scholarship programme.
“If the programme is transparent and everything is above board, publish the records and let Ebonyians see them. That is the simplest way to answer every question,” he said.
He added that PDP governorship candidate Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii supports initiatives aimed at developing Ebonyi’s human capital but believes such programmes should be implemented with transparency and accountability.
Stay updated with Ebonyi News Network for real-time reports, in-depth analysis, and exclusive coverage of policies shaping Ebonyi State.
