Delta State Government Offers First Class Graduates N5 Million Each

Graduating from a University with a first class degree is usually celebrated all over the world as an exceptional feat. In most cases, the graduate is presented with cash, gift items, job offers and opportunities for furthering his or her education in presitigous universities upon attaining this degree.

However, often times, the cash awards given to the recipients brings up debates in some circles.

Yesterday, the Delta state government presented the sum of  N5,000,000 to each of her first Class Graduates to further their education in any University of their choice, an act which has raised up another round of debate. This is how it was reported on the Delta State Government’s Facebook page:

Delta state Government under the leadership of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has today, as her custom, presented a scholarship of Five Million Naira (N5,000,000) to each of her first Class Graduates to further their educational career in any University of their choice. Delta state Government also gave Fifty Thousand naira (N50,000) each to her Students in the Nigeria Law School (2011 and 2012 Batches) to make-up their scholarship of One Hundred Thousand (N100,000) as promised by the State Government.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries

The debate surrounding this presentation comes in different forms. Some have argued that the sum is too much. Others have said they shouldn’t have been given the cash, but instead, should have sent the students to reputable Universities for their Masters Degrees and paid their tuition fees directly to the Universities.

In another vein, some have argued that the students would use the money to travel abroad and not return back to impact their home state in any way. And still, some have said they may not use the money to further their education but rather use it for other purposes.

On the other hand, the presentation of the cash awards to the graduates has been lauded by quite a number of people.

The news report did not state the criteria for selection of the graduates or the institutions they attended. While we laud the goodwill of the Delta State government, the arguments for and against the cash presentation raises some pertinent points that should not be ignored.

What are your views?