88 Zamfara Students Stranded in Cyprus as Parents Plead Over ₦1bn Debt

Parents of 88 Zamfara State students currently stranded at Cyprus International University have appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal to urgently settle over ₦1 billion in outstanding fees to enable the students to continue their education or return home. The call was made in Gusau by Ibrahim Tudu, Chairman of the Cyprus Students’ Parents Association, who described the students’ condition as “critical” due to unpaid tuition, accommodation costs, residence permits, and feeding allowances. “All the tuition fees for our children, accommodation, residence permits and feeding have not been paid by the state government. We are appealing to His Excellency to please respond positively and clear the debt,” Tudu stated. According to the parents, the debt—which has accumulated over several academic sessions—has left many students at risk of losing their legal status in Cyprus, facing eviction, and being unable to attend classes. The Zamfara State Government, through Mustafa Jafaru-Kaura, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, confirmed that ₦290 million has so far been paid to offset part of the debt. He also said flight tickets were provided for students who wished to return to Nigeria, though some opted to remain in Cyprus. This crisis dates back to 2020, when the previous administration sponsored 93 students to study in Northern Cyprus without a formal memorandum of understanding with the institutions involved. Funding reportedly stopped in 2022, forcing many students into hardship. Education Commissioner Wadatau Madawaki disclosed that five students have since dropped out, leaving 88 still in Cyprus. The present administration has sent a delegation, including the Commissioners for Education and Finance, to Cyprus to assess the liabilities and negotiate with the institutions. Parents insist that the ₦290 million paid so far is insufficient and are urging the government to urgently settle the remaining balance to prevent further disruption to the students’ academic future. The governor’s office is yet to issue a fresh statement following the parents’ latest appeal.