Kano Governor Settles Outstanding Fees of Stranded Students in Cyprus
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has paid N2.24 billion to clear the outstanding tuition and accommodation fees of 84 students stranded in Northern Cyprus. The students, initially sponsored under a foreign scholarship scheme introduced by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, were abandoned after the administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje discontinued funding.
The students faced severe financial and emotional trauma, with some facing legal threats from their host institution, Near East University in Cyprus. They were locked out of classrooms, evicted from accommodations, and ridiculed abroad. The situation drew widespread criticism from human rights groups and diaspora communities.
With the fees settled, the students can now receive their certificates and pursue their careers. The beneficiaries include 28 medical students and others studying paramedical and engineering courses, such as MBBS, BSc./MSc Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Computer Science, and Biomedical Sciences.
Key Highlights:
- Total Amount Paid: N2.24 billion
- Number of Students: 84
- Courses Affected: Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Biomedical Sciences, and Engineering
Next Steps: Automatic employment into the Kano State Civil Service
Governor Yusuf's action has brought relief to the students and their families, with many parents moved to tears upon hearing the news. The development has been widely praised by education advocates and human rights organizations.
