By Abasi Ita
The Senator representing Cross River South Senatorial District, Asuquo Ekpenyong, has announced plans to provide educational grants of ₦100,000 each to 1,000 students in 2026 under the Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Education Support Initiative.
The lawmaker made the announcement in a statement issued through his constituency office, describing the programme as part of his sustained commitment to human capital development and access to education within the district.
According to the statement, the initiative, now in its fourth edition, is targeted at qualified students who are indigenes and residents of Cross River South Senatorial District. Beneficiaries will receive ₦100,000 each to support their academic pursuits.
The scheme is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled in federal and state universities, colleges of education, colleges of health technology and schools of nursing across the country.
Senator Ekpenyong explained that the application portal for the 2026 edition will open on January 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. and close on January 21, 2026, at 11:00 p.m. He added that applicants must hail from Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Bakassi, Calabar South, Calabar Municipal or Odukpani Local Government Areas.
He stressed that all applications would be subjected to verification, including confirmation of admission letters and certificates of origin, noting that only candidates who apply through the officially designated platforms would be considered.
Interested applicants are required to apply through a dedicated WhatsApp channel, as outlined by the constituency office. The senator added that only applicants who successfully complete the application process through the official portal would be shortlisted.
He further stated that shortlisted candidates would be contacted and invited for screening, adding that the selection process would be transparent, merit based and driven by an algorithm that complies strictly with the submitted requirements.
The education support initiative is one of several interventions by Senator Ekpenyong aimed at easing the financial burden on students and promoting academic excellence across Cross River South.