Kano state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has chided his predecessor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for allegedly refusing to pay tuition fees of Kano students who were on scholarship at Near East University, Cyprus between 2015 and 2019.
He expressed dismay that the university management withheld the certificates of the students, mostly medical practitioners, who ought to have been long put in use for the healthcare of the Kano people and the development of the state.
Governor Yusuf, who arrived in Cyprus on Monday is having discussions with the university management on how to settle the tuition fees and reclaim the certificates of the students.
According to a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, “Governor Yusuf has taken a decisive step to address the prolonged challenges faced by Kano students unable to access their academic certificates throughout Ganduje’s administration.”
Bature said Governor Yusuf held a critical meeting with the management of Near East University in Cyprus to tackle the issue.
According to Bature, the discussion focused on the overdue release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019.
The Statement added that: “Many of these graduates, particularly from fields such as Medicine and Nursing, have been unable to advance in their careers due to the non-payment of tuition fees by the Ganduje-led administration.”
Governor Yusuf described the situation as a major setback, not only for the affected students but also for the state, which has been deprived of skilled professionals in critical sectors, particularly the healthcare service.
However, he expressed optimism following what he called fruitful discussions with the university management aimed at settling the liabilities and facilitating the release of the certificates.
Governor Yusuf said: “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.
“One cannot imagine that as governor, Ganduje cannot pay for the tuition of these medical students who are much needed for immediate employment with the Kano state government, it is a shame on him.
“We remain committed to prioritizing education and the welfare of our people as a foundation for sustainable growth.”
Bature noted that “Governor Yusuf’s intervention underscores his administration’s resolve to address systemic challenges in the education sector.
“The anticipated resolution of this issue is expected to enable the graduates to fulfil their potential and make meaningful contributions to Kano State’s development.
“This effort signals a new chapter of hope for the affected graduates and reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a brighter future for its citizens.”
