Governor Yusuf Settles ₦2.24 Billion Debt, Rescues 84 Kano Students Stranded in Cyprus

In a major educational intervention, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has fully settled outstanding tuition and accommodation fees totaling ₦2.24 billion for 84 indigenes of the state who were stranded in Northern Cyprus.

These students had been abandoned mid-way through their academic programs following the abrupt suspension of the foreign scholarship initiative by the previous administration.

The students were initially sponsored under a foreign scholarship scheme launched by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

However, following a change in leadership, the program was discontinued by the succeeding government, leaving many of the students unable to pay for their education at Near East University, Cyprus.

This led to their eviction from housing, restriction from academic services, and threats of legal action from the institution.

Governor Yusuf, upon assuming office, made a commitment to reviving the scholarship program and addressing the plight of affected students.

On Thursday, during a formal event at the Kano State Government House, he announced that the government had cleared all debts owed to the Cypriot university, thereby allowing the students to complete their education and return home with valid academic credentials.

In a gesture that further underscored the administration’s commitment to education and youth empowerment, Governor Yusuf also announced automatic employment for the 84 returning graduates in the Kano State Civil Service.

“Our decision to sponsor your education abroad was aimed at building a stronger and more knowledgeable Kano. Now that you have returned with valuable academic and professional experience, it is only right that you are absorbed into our system to contribute meaningfully to the state’s development,” the governor said.

The beneficiaries of the scholarship included 28 medical students and others in fields such as Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering.

Many of them had completed their studies but were unable to collect certificates or graduate formally due to the unpaid fees.

The gesture has been widely praised by civil society organizations, parents, and the general public.

Many described it as a landmark step that reflects the administration’s focus on human capital development.

Mrs. Halima Ahmed, a parent of one of the students, thanked the governor for rescuing their children from academic stagnation.

“We were losing hope. Some of us had sold properties just to help our children survive out there. This intervention has lifted an enormous burden from our shoulders,” she said.

Governor Yusuf reiterated that his administration remains committed to reviving and sustaining the foreign scholarship initiative, particularly for academically outstanding but financially disadvantaged students.

He emphasized that education is the bedrock of societal advancement and must not be compromised.

This development marks a significant turnaround in the lives of the affected students and is seen as a beacon of hope for thousands of others still pursuing higher education under government sponsorship.