By Our Correspondent
Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago fulfilled a N250 million pledge made to Auwalu Salisu, a 23-year-old Kano-based commercial tricycle “keke napep” rider. Auwalu became nationally known in 2023 after returning N15 million he found in his tricycle to a Chadian businessman.
Gov Bago announced the N250m as academic scholarship up to PhD level, made up of N50m each from: himself, President Bola Tinubu, his Ministers, APC Governors Forum, and Niger State government. He made the announcement at the LEADERSHIP Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja where Auwalu was named ‘Outstanding Young Person of the Year 2023’.
Bago said the gift was to appreciate Auwalu’s act of honesty and encourage other young Nigerians to imbibe the virtue. Leadership Group Chairman Zainab Nda-Isaiah praised the governor for “commitment to keeping his promises” and called the event “a celebration of integrity”.
To ensure the funds are used for Auwalu’s education and skill development, a trustee board was inaugurated with representatives from Niger State government, Leadership Group, Sam Nda-Isaiah Foundation, and Auwalu’s family. Niger SSG Alh. Abubakar Usman and SA Digital Comms Abdulberqy Usman Ebbo represent the state. 2077967e
The first scholarship offer came from LP presidential candidate Peter Obi during the same event. Gov Bago then “jocularly reacted” that APC cannot be outshone by Labour Party and added his N250m pledge.
Beyond the scholarship, Bago said he would name one of the road projects he was undertaking in Niger State after the Kano keke rider.
Credible sources shows Gov Bago donating N50m to ICAN for a student centre in Minna, and government buying copies of books launched at NIM events. However, there is no verifiable report of him giving N50m to a “literature icon for 5 books” as claimed in the post. Minna is pushing to become UNESCO City of Literature, and Bago has supported literary initiatives, but the specific N50m donation is not documented in available reports.
Bago’s administration says Niger attracted over $1bn in Agric business investments since 2023. He also banned night movement of Okada and keke from 6pm-6am in Minna over insecurity. For 2026 he presented a N1.3trn “Budget of Consolidation” with 73.8% for capital expenditure. 016aba576ad6
Meanwhile , the N250m to Auwalu Salisu is fact-checked and confirmed as a scholarship pledge split across 5 donors, not a cash gift to one person. The “N50m for 5 books/literature icon” part could not be verified in public records.
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