UYO — The Akwa Ibom State Government has disowned a fake online bursary application portal currently circulating on social media, warning students and members of the public against falling victim to the fraudulent scheme.
The government, in a press release issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, said its attention had been drawn to a message with the caption, “Akwa Ibom Students Bursary 2026 Application Is Ongoing,” which directs prospective applicants to an unauthorized online portal.
The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, who signed the statement, described the message and the portal as fraudulent, stressing that they did not originate from the Akwa Ibom State Government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He urged students of Akwa Ibom State origin and the general public to disregard the message and avoid accessing or submitting personal information through the fraudulent platform.
The Commissioner clarified that the official Akwa Ibom State Students Bursary portal is bursary.akwaibomstate.gov.ng, advising members of the public to rely exclusively on the official portal and verified government communication channels for information concerning the Students Bursary Scheme.
Umanah further warned the public against disclosing personal, financial or academic information on unauthorized websites, noting that the government would not be held liable for losses, fraud, identity theft or data breaches resulting from engagement with fraudulent platforms.
According to him, the state government has directed relevant security agencies to investigate the fraudulent scheme, identify those behind it and ensure that they are apprehended and brought to book in accordance with the law.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare and educational advancement of Akwa Ibom students, assuring the public that official information regarding the commencement of the bursary application process and other related updates would be communicated through verified government channels.
By Ndifreke Bassey