By Muhammad Abubakar
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has brought relief to 84 students abandoned in Northern Cyprus after settling a massive N2.24 billion debt owed to Near East University, paving the way for the release of their academic certificates.
The students were part of a foreign scholarship scheme initiated by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso but were left in limbo when the succeeding administration halted funding. The withdrawal left them unable to pay tuition and accommodation fees, effectively trapping them in a foreign country without support.
Governor Yusuf, during a ceremony in Kano, described the situation as a national embarrassment and expressed satisfaction at resolving the crisis. “This marks the end of years of hardship, uncertainty, and humiliation for our children abroad,” he said.
The affected students, including 28 medical graduates and others in health and engineering disciplines, faced legal threats, eviction, and exclusion from classes during the years of neglect. Their ordeal sparked widespread concern both locally and internationally.
Stakeholders have commended the governor for the intervention, calling it a timely and compassionate move to restore dignity and hope to the affected families.