The Federated Organisation of Sokoto State Students’ Associations (FOSSA) has commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for settling N3 billion in outstanding scholarship arrears inherited from the previous administration.

FOSSA described the payment as a lifeline that has restored hope to thousands of Sokoto students studying within and outside the state.

The association said the unpaid scholarships, which had accumulated over the years, placed many students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria and abroad under severe financial strain and disrupted their academic progress.

FOSSA president, Yusuf Sabiu, stated this on Tuesday in Sokoto during a press conference to mark the successful end of the association’s 2025/2026 tenure.

Mr Sabiu said the settlement reflected the governor’s commitment to education and student welfare, noting that many beneficiaries had struggled to meet tuition and other academic costs due to the prolonged delay.

“The non-payment of scholarship arrears by the previous administration greatly affected the academic pursuits of Sokoto State students studying both within and outside Nigeria.

“Today, that challenge is now history, as the education-friendly administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu has cleared all outstanding liabilities owed to our members,” he said.

He also applauded the governor for sustaining the payment of school fees for Sokoto students in higher institutions within the country and overseas.

According to him, the only outstanding payments are the school fees for the 2025/2026 academic session.

He added that all eligible beneficiaries have been verified, and payment is expected to begin soon.

“We have nothing to say to the governor except to express our profound gratitude. His support has renewed the hopes of many students and shown that education remains a priority for his administration,” Mr Sabiu said.

The president, however, appealed to the governor to restore the annual financial support traditionally provided to the association, noting that the outgoing executive did not benefit from it.

He expressed optimism that extending the support to the incoming executives would strengthen the association’s activities and enable it to continue promoting the welfare and interests of Sokoto state students.

(NAN)