Bill for Establishing FCT Scholarship Board Passes Second Reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday gave a second reading to a bill sponsored by Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika, representative of AMAC/BWARI Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), seeking to establish the Federal Capital Territory Scholarship Board. The proposed legislation aims to facilitate scholarships for pupils and students who are original inhabitants and residents of the FCT, thereby promoting sustainable educational development in the territory.

Key provisions of the Bill, are: that the board shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, capable of suing and being sued in its name; reward, promote, and encourage academic excellence; develop human resources to meet national manpower needs and; make education accessible to FCT residents.

Others are to: reduce the number of out‑of‑school children due to financial constraints; provide a conducive, peaceful, and friendly learning environment; offer accommodation for scholars in higher institutions; monitor and evaluate scholarship programmes. ensure that 25% of scholarships reserved for original inhabitants of the FCT and; ensure that 10% allocated to each geo‑political zone; ensure that 5% reserved for discretionary awards by the Board.

Hon. Obika emphasized that the Board “will reward, promote and encourage academic excellence” and “develop human resources for the nation’s manpower needs,” adding that the initiative is crucial for reducing out‑of‑school rates in the FCT.

However, the bill, titled “An Act to Establish Federal Capital Territory Scholarship Board to Facilitate Provision of Scholarship to Pupils and Students who are Original Inhabitants and Residents of the Federal Capital Territory to Promote Sustainable Educational Development in the FCT and for Related Matters, 2025,” was enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.