Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has intervened to rescue 84 indigent students stranded in Northern Cyprus, by clearing their outstanding tuition and accommodation fees, which had been unpaid for years.
The intervention, amounting to ₦2.24 billion, brings relief to the students—many of whom had completed their studies but could not access their certificates due to the backlog of unpaid fees. The development marks the end of a prolonged crisis triggered by the suspension of their foreign scholarship funding by the previous administration.
In a statement signed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General of Media and Publicity to the Governor, the state confirmed that full payment was made to Near East University in Cyprus, effectively clearing all debts and unlocking the academic certificates of the affected students.
“A total of two billion, two hundred and forty million naira has been paid to secure the certificates of the students who have waited for over five years,” the statement read.
The students were initially sponsored under a foreign scholarship scheme introduced by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. However, the programme was abruptly halted during Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s tenure, leaving the beneficiaries stranded abroad.
Many of the students faced dire conditions, including eviction from hostels, denial of access to classes, and threats of deportation.
“The trauma these students faced was unbearable. Some of them were harassed, ridiculed, and nearly deported. This intervention is not just financial—it is moral and humanitarian,” said Kabiru Ibrahim, father of one of the affected students.
The group includes 28 medical students, along with graduates in nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, computer science, and biomedical sciences. Most had completed their studies but were unable to obtain their degrees due to the debt.
In addition to the payment, Governor Yusuf has directed the immediate employment of all returning graduates into the Kano State civil service.
“These young professionals are an asset to our state. We will not only welcome them home but also give them opportunities to contribute to our development,” the Governor stated.
The announcement has sparked widespread jubilation across Kano, with emotional reactions from parents and well-wishers.
“This is the happiest day of my life. I can finally hold my son’s certificate and see him begin his career,” said Fatima Suleiman, mother of one of the medical graduates.
Human rights advocates and diaspora groups have also commended the governor’s action.
“This is a clear example of leadership with empathy. These are lives restored, careers revived, and reputations redeemed,” said Musa Lawan, coordinator of a Nigerian student welfare group in Europe.
