Governor Yusuf Clears ₦2.24 Billion Debt, Rescues 84 Kano Students Stranded in Cyprus

In a bold move to restore hope and dignity, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has paid off ₦2.24 billion in outstanding tuition and accommodation fees for 84 Kano indigenes stranded in Northern Cyprus. These students had been caught in limbo for years after a state-sponsored scholarship programme was abruptly halted by the previous administration.

Originally enrolled at Near East University under a foreign scholarship scheme initiated by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the students’ dreams were shattered when Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s government discontinued the funding. This led to severe hardships—students were locked out of classrooms, evicted from hostels, and denied access to their academic certificates.

Announcing the rescue effort, the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, described the payment as both a moral duty and a humanitarian response.

“These students were left abandoned and humiliated in a foreign land. Today, that injustice has been corrected. We’ve restored their future,” he stated.

Among the rescued students are 28 medical scholars and others studying pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, biomedical sciences, engineering, and computer science. Many had completed their degrees but were unable to receive their certificates due to the unpaid debts.

Parents of the beneficiaries have expressed deep gratitude for the intervention.

“This is the end of years of pain,” said Aisha Umar, whose daughter studied nursing. “Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has not only saved our children’s future but given us peace.”

In a move that further solidifies his commitment to youth empowerment, Governor Yusuf also announced that all returning students will be granted automatic employment within the Kano State Civil Service.

“These are bright, qualified individuals who have endured so much. We want them to return and contribute to the growth of our state,” he said.

The decision has been widely applauded by education stakeholders and diaspora communities, who have long criticized the political neglect of students studying abroad.

“This is not just a bailout—it’s a restoration of dignity and leadership driven by compassion,” said Hauwa Salihu of the Kano Diaspora Support Group.

The development has also reignited conversations about the importance of policy continuity in educational programmes, with calls for legal safeguards to prevent future disruptions caused by political transitions.

Governor Yusuf’s administration has prioritized education since assuming office, rolling out new scholarship schemes, revamping infrastructure, and investing in school feeding programmes.

State officials confirmed that arrangements are in progress to facilitate the safe return and reintegration of the students, signaling a new beginning after years of uncertainty.

Source News Punch

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