Two children of senior officials in the Taraba State Government have been listed among the 100 beneficiaries selected for the state government’s postgraduate scholarship programme to India, raising questions among beneficiaries and concerned citizens about the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
The two beneficiaries are Victor Mike Dio Jen, the son of the Taraba State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr. Mike Dio Jen, and Zakariah Kwenjerimam Kurutsi, the daughter of the Director of Students at the Taraba State Scholarship Board.
The development comes amid complaints by some of the selected students over inadequate welfare arrangements during their prolonged stay in Abuja for visa processing, including overcrowded accommodation, inadequate feeding allowances, the absence of laptops promised to beneficiaries and reported plans to deduct $20 monthly from the $100 stipend expected to be paid to each student in India.
Some beneficiaries have also stated that students who raise concerns about the scholarship programme are being threatened with visa rejection.
The Taraba State Government had announced plans to sponsor 100 indigenes of the state for Master’s degree programmes in India as part of Governor Agbu Kefas’ human capital development initiative.
Public reports on the programme state that the scholarship is fully funded and is expected to cover tuition, transportation, accommodation, feeding, study materials and other logistics throughout the students’ stay in India.
The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mike Dio Jen, had also publicly said the beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit and drawn from the 16 local government areas of Taraba State.
However, documents seen by SaharaReporters show that the names of the children of the two officials involved in the administration of the education sector and scholarship process are among the final 100 beneficiaries.
The list, titled “One Hundred (100) Number of Students Who Have Been Offered Provisional Admission for Master’s Degree Programmes in Three (3) Different Universities in India,” was signed by the Secretary to the Taraba State Government, Chief Barrister Gebon Timothy Kataps.
According to the document, Zakariah Kwenjerimam Kurutsi, identified by sources as the daughter of the Director of Students at the Taraba State Scholarship Board, was offered admission to study MA English, with registration number B05101038.
Also on the list is Victor Mike Dio Jen, identified as the son of the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, who was offered admission to study MSc Information Technology, with registration number B05173547.
Sources familiar with the selection process told SaharaReporters that the inclusion of the two beneficiaries had raised concerns among some Taraba residents because of the positions held by their parents in the government institutions involved in the programme.
One source said the two officials were among those who had roles in selecting the students who would benefit from the government-sponsored programme.
“These are the only two officials in this administration who selected the students that will be sponsored,” the source said.
The source further claimed that Governor Agbu Kefas, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief G.T. Kataps, and the Chief of Staff to the Governor did not include their own children or relatives among the beneficiaries.
According to the source, those officials were believed to be financially capable of sponsoring their children without relying on the state scholarship scheme.
“Governor Kefas, G.T. Kataps and even the Chief of Staff to the Governor did not include their children or relatives because they can afford it,” the source said.
“Why then did they include their own children?”
The source said the issue was particularly sensitive because the scholarship was designed to provide opportunities for young Tarabans who might otherwise be unable to afford postgraduate education abroad.
Commissioner’s Son Allegedly Listed Before NYSC Completion
Another source specifically raised concerns about the eligibility of Victor Mike Dio Jen, the son of the Commissioner for Tertiary Education.
According to the source, Victor graduated from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in May 2026 and had not completed the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme at the time his name appeared among the beneficiaries.
“Victor just graduated from AUN in May 2026 and has not yet completed NYSC,” the source said.
“If completing the mandatory one-year NYSC was part of the scholarship criteria, how did his name make the final list?”
The source added that the scholarship should be protected from nepotism and preferential treatment.
“What is meant for the children of the poor should be given to them without any bias,” the source said.
Beneficiaries Complain Of Abuja Welfare Arrangements
Meanwhile, some of the beneficiaries have raised concerns over the conditions under which they have been kept in Abuja while waiting for visa processing and other travel arrangements.
A government source familiar with the situation told SaharaReporters that some of the students had been in Abuja for more than two weeks.
“We have been in Abuja for over two weeks for visa processing, yet the welfare support remains inadequate,” the source said.
According to the source, the students were transported to Abuja by the state government at no cost, but were allegedly given only ₦7,000 for feeding during the journey.
“We were conveyed to Abuja free but received only ₦7,000 for feeding on the way,” the source said.
The source also explained that the accommodation arrangements in Abuja were significantly different from what beneficiaries expected.
“One student per room was expected, yet three students are being accommodated in one single room,” the source said.
“Six students are in a room and parlour.”
The source said the accommodation arrangement had become uncomfortable for postgraduate students who were preparing to embark on an international academic programme.
We Receive Only ₦6,000 Daily For Feeding
The beneficiaries also complained about the feeding allowance being provided to them while they remain in Abuja.
“We receive only ₦6,000 daily for feeding in Abuja, while beneficiaries staying with their families are reportedly paid ₦10,000 for the whole day,” the source said.
The alleged difference in the welfare arrangements has further fuelled concerns among the students, some of whom questioned why beneficiaries should receive different amounts depending on their accommodation arrangements.
The beneficiaries also claimed that laptops expected to be provided as part of the scholarship package had not been distributed.
“No laptops have been provided as expected,” one source said.
Alleged $20 Monthly Deduction From $100 Stipend
Another major concern raised by the beneficiaries is an alleged plan to deduct $20 every month from the reported $100 monthly stipend expected to be paid to each student while in India.
According to the beneficiaries, this would leave each student with only $80 monthly if the proposed deduction is implemented.
“There are plans to deduct $20 monthly from the reported $100 stipend in India,” a source alleged.
The beneficiaries said the proposed deduction was particularly concerning given the cost of living and other expenses they may encounter after arriving in India.
They also explained that students who speak publicly about their concerns are being threatened with the possibility of having their visas rejected.
“Beneficiaries who speak up are allegedly threatened with visa rejection,” one source said.
We Need Governor Kefas To Know What Is Happening
The beneficiaries appealed directly to Governor Agbu Kefas, saying they believe the governor may not be aware of the conditions they are experiencing.
“We urgently need your voice to draw Governor Agbu Kefas’ attention to the realities surrounding the Taraba State Government Indian Postgraduate Scholarship Programme,” the beneficiaries said.
“We strongly believe His Excellency (governor) may not be aware of what is happening.”
They said their concerns were not intended to undermine the governor or his education programme but to seek intervention before the students leave Nigeria.
“We are not against the governor; we are appealing to him through you. Please speak for us,” they said.
The beneficiaries also expressed concern over an inadequate welfare and farewell package.
“We are also deeply concerned about the welfare/farewell package. We need a meaningful and transparent package that reflects what was budgeted for postgraduate scholars, not token amounts that will leave us struggling upon arrival in India,” they said.
The students questioned why they were already experiencing financial difficulties before leaving Nigeria
“Why are we already suffocating financially when we have not even reached India? We are postgraduate students, not undergraduates,” they asked.
They added: “We are not asking for luxury, only transparency, accountability and the benefits intended for us.”