Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano has settled the outstanding N2.24 billion tuition and accommodation fees of 84 students stranded in Northern Cyprus, five years after their sponsorship was discontinued.

Speaking during the presentation of certificates to the students on Thursday at the Government House, Kano, Mr Yusuf said the affected students were among those earlier sponsored under the foreign scholarship programme initiated by former Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He said the programme was halted by the immediate past administration, leaving the students without financial or institutional support.

According to him, the abrupt suspension of the programme subjected the students to severe hardship, including eviction from their residences, denial of access to academic services, and threats of legal action by their host institution –  Near East University in Cyprus.

“Our administration has now cleared all outstanding liabilities owed to the university.

“A total of N2.24 billion has been paid to cover tuition and accommodation arrears and to facilitate the release of certificates for the 84 affected students,” he said.

Mr Yusuf said that 28 of the students studied Medicine, while others pursued courses in nursing; pharmacy; dentistry; computer science; biomedical sciences, and engineering.

The governor also announced the approval of automatic employment for all the graduates into the Kano State Civil Service.

The intervention has been widely commended by parents and civil society groups, who described it as a significant relief and a restoration of hope.

Some parents who spoke with journalists expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture and the job placement.

Dignitaries at the event included traditional rulers, members of the state and national assemblies, among others. 

(NAN)