Assessment of Access to Educational Support through Scholarship Opportunities among Christians and Muslims Students in Niger State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.202525Keywords:
Educational Support, Scholarship Opportunities, Christians-MuslimsAbstract
This study investigated assessment of access to educational support through scholarship opportunities among Christians and Muslims students in Niger State, Nigeria, utilizing a descriptive survey research design. From the total population of 6,783,300 in the state, a randomly selected sample of 914 tertiary education students participated in the research. Data were gathered through a self-structured questionnaire, with responses analyzed using mean scores. The self-structured questionnaire was validated by experts in the field and tested for reliability using a pilot study, yielding a high reliability coefficient of 0.64, indicating that the instrument was both valid and dependable for data collection. The findings revealed that although government scholarships are generally perceived as fair, challenges such as systemic obstacles, favoritism, uneven distribution, and socio-economic inequalities still hinder full equity. However, merit-based and targeted initiatives were acknowledged as contributing positively to educational fairness. The study concludes that, despite the presence of scholarship opportunities for both religious groups, equitable access remains compromised by structural and religious biases. Therefore, it recommends that the Niger State government, through its education ministry and scholarship boards, implement transparent, merit-driven, and religion-neutral scholarship policies. Additionally, it urges Christian and Muslim leaders to work together in launching interfaith scholarship programs that foster inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
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