Foreign Scholarship

By Muhammad Abubakar Tahir

Jigawa State has, in recent years, earned praise for its progressive policy of offering automatic employment to university graduates who finish with First Class degrees. It is a remarkable gesture, one that highlights the state government’s commitment to education, excellence, and the future of its youth.

However, as commendable as this initiative is, it also calls for reflection. The state government must review the policy to ensure that other brilliant and hardworking graduates are not left behind, particularly those with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) between 4.0 and 4.49.

These students, though officially classified as Second Class Upper (2.1), have equally demonstrated distinction, resilience, and intellectual depth. In some disciplines — especially the technical and science-based ones — attaining a First Class degree is extraordinarily demanding. 

Yet many of these students, with CGPAs slightly below the First-Class cut-off, are as competent and deserving of opportunities as their peers who crossed the 4.5 mark. Around the world, employers and institutions recognise this nuance. Graduates with Second Class Upper degrees are widely regarded as strong performers and are eligible for both public- and private-sector roles. 

They also qualify for prestigious international fellowships and postgraduate scholarships. Indeed, scholarship programmes such as Chevening, Commonwealth, and several others typically set their minimum CGPA requirement between 3.5 and 3.7 on a 5.0 scale — comfortably within the Second Class Upper range. 

This shows that the global academic and professional community values not only top-tier excellence but also consistent, well-rounded performance. It is on this basis that Governor Mallam Umar Namadi is urged to broaden the scope of Jigawa’s First-Class employment initiative. 

By extending consideration to graduates within the 4.0 to 4.49 range, the government would not only promote fairness but also maximise the state’s pool of talent. Such an inclusive policy could be designed to include a fair, transparent screening process that rewards skill, creativity, and innovation — qualities not confined to a single grade level.

A similar example can be seen in neighbouring Kano State, where the government recently introduced a domestic scholarship scheme that also accommodates Second Class Upper graduates. Many beneficiaries of that programme come from humble backgrounds, and their stories have shown how such policies can transform lives and families. 

Jigawa State can take inspiration from this model and adapt it to its own development priorities. Governor Namadi has already demonstrated a listening and compassionate leadership style, particularly through his swift interventions during last Ramadan when he responded to citizens’ needs with empathy and urgency. 

Extending opportunities to deserving 2.1 graduates would further strengthen public confidence in his administration and reinforce his image as a people-centred leader who believes in inclusive governance.

History will not forget him if he heeds this call. His legacy will be remembered not just for rewarding excellence, but for redefining it — by recognising that excellence wears many shades. That brilliance sometimes exists just a decimal point below a First Class.

In the end, what truly defines a visionary leader is not only how he uplifts the best but how he ensures that no capable hand is left idle when there is work to be done for the good of the state.

Muhammad Abubakar Tahir is a journalist based in Hadejia, Jigawa State. He can be reached via abubakarmtahir81@gmail.com.

Your Excellency,

We, the undersigned concerned applicants of the Kano State Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme 2025, wish to bring to your attention an issue that has caused great concern and uncertainty among many eligible indigenes of our dear state.

Following the screening exercise conducted by the Kano State Scholarship Board in January 2025, we were informed that nearly 4,000 candidates were confirmed eligible for the scholarship. The process was widely appreciated for its inclusivity across all fields of study.

However, it has come to our attention that the selection process for awardees has taken a one-sided turn. The Ministry for Higher Education has reportedly begun contacting selected candidates via phone calls; however, all those contacted so far are exclusively from STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Applicants from equally important fields, such as the Social Sciences, Management Sciences, Arts, and Humanities, have been completely left out.

Several applicants have verified with the callers that only STEM candidates are being considered. This development has caused confusion and concern among the rest of us who also performed excellently and are proud indigenes of Kano State. We believe this situation undermines the spirit of equity and fairness for which Your Excellency is known.

To seek clarification, we formed a committee and visited the Scholarship Board. We were directed to the Ministry for Higher Education, but unfortunately, our concerns were not addressed; we were only allowed to submit a letter to the ministry’s secretary.

Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal for your kind intervention in this matter. We believe that every qualified and hardworking indigene, regardless of their field of study, deserves a fair opportunity. If the current arrangement cannot accommodate all eligible applicants from abroad and domestic private universities, we request that consideration be given to sponsoring students to domestic public universities within Nigeria or providing automatic job placements within the state civil service. These would be a worthy recognition of our academic dedication and a meaningful investment in the future of Kano State.

We remain hopeful and confident that Your Excellency will act with your usual sense of justice, fairness, and compassion.

Yours respectfully,

Comrade Safiyanu Yunusa Musa Rijiyar Zaki, Chairman of the Concerned Applicants Committee

MJ Bashir, Vice Chairman

By Muhammad Abubakar

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed the automatic employment of 84 foreign-trained graduates into the Kano State Civil Service, following his administration’s full settlement of their outstanding fees at Near East University, Northern Cyprus.

The graduates, who had been abandoned mid-study after the previous government withdrew scholarship funding, were recently issued their certificates after the state paid N2.24 billion in arrears to the university.

Addressing the students at the certificate presentation ceremony in Kano, Governor Yusuf said the graduates would be immediately absorbed into public service. “These students have suffered enough. Now, they will be given the opportunity to contribute to the growth of our state,” he said.

Among the beneficiaries are medical doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, computer scientists, and biomedical experts — all of whom earned degrees under immense hardship.

The governor’s action is seen as both a humanitarian and developmental gesture, aimed at harnessing the skills of foreign-trained professionals while restoring faith in government-backed education programs.

Education experts have praised the move, describing it as a practical step toward addressing youth unemployment and reversing the brain drain trend.

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.

By Anwar Usman

The North West Development Commission (NWDC) has reversed its decision and announced cancelling its foreign scholarship application scheme. This is in compliance with the Federal Government’s recent directive to prioritise local education and promote indigenous capacity development.

This development follows a policy announcement made by the Federal Ministry of Education on May 7, 2025, reiterating a shift in focus towards reinvigorating Nigeria’s local educational institutions.

The statement, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, highlighted the need to invest in homegrown talent and infrastructure rather than sending students abroad.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NWDC reiterated its commitment to aligning its programs and initiatives with the Federal Government’s policies and priorities.

The statement reads, “This decision is in line with the new directive by the Federal Government, aimed at building local capacity and enhancing the quality of education within Nigeria,” the Commission stated.

The NWDC added that it would provide further updates on new opportunities and educational programs designed to support the development of the North West region in line with the new national educational outlook.

The cancellation marks a significant policy shift in the region’s educational strategy. It is expected to redirect resources towards improving local institutions, providing scholarships for domestic education, and creating skill development initiatives tailored to regional needs.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced the automatic employment of 54 indigenes of the state who recently completed their Master’s degrees in India under the state government’s foreign scholarship program.

The governor made the announcement during an Iftar gathering with the returning scholars, emphasizing the government’s commitment to investing in education and strengthening the state’s workforce.

Governor Yusuf urged the graduates to repay the state’s investment by contributing diligently to Kano’s development. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to providing educational opportunities and employing qualified professionals to enhance governance and public service.

By Bilal Muhammad Bello (BMB)

The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has made commendable strides in supporting education. Among these initiatives is the foreign scholarship program for postgraduate studies, a legacy dating back to the second tenure of former Governor Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. While this policy has benefited many, addressing the growing need to prioritise local scholarships for Kano State students studying in Nigerian institutions is crucial.

Since the 2019/2020 academic year, there has been a noticeable gap in the distribution of local scholarships in Kano State. Regrettably, since Governor Yusuf assumed office, no official scholarships have been disbursed to students in tertiary institutions nationwide. 

While it is laudable that the state government recently paid the fees of students affected by tuition hikes at federal universities such as Bayero University Kano, Federal University Dutse, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, and the University of Maiduguri, this initiative has excluded students from state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Many of these students face severe financial hardships, and some even drop out due to a lack of support.

With utmost respect, I urge His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to reconsider the state’s scholarship policy. The government must prioritise local students struggling to fund their education amidst the country’s economic challenges. Local scholarships would provide a lifeline to these students, ensuring they complete their education and contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.

Similarly, states like Katsina, Jigawa, Borno, and Kaduna support students with local scholarships every year for those studying at various institutions in the country. These local scholarships provided by respective state governments help alleviate the challenges students face on campuses.

During your 2019 and 2023 campaigns, Sir, you pledged to prioritise education. While the foreign scholarship program for postgraduate studies is admirable, the pressing needs of local students studying on Nigerian campuses cannot be overlooked. I respectfully call on His Excellency to direct the State Scholarship Board to open its portal and ensure that students in Kano benefit from the state government’s scholarship program.

Investing in local scholarships is not just a fulfilment of campaign promises but a commitment to building a brighter future for Kano State. Students are the backbone of any society, and supporting their education is an investment in the prosperity of the state. Governor Yusuf, this is an opportunity to cement your legacy as a leader who prioritises education for all Kano students at home and abroad.

Bilal Muhammad Bello Department of Mass Communication Bayero University, Kano.

By Uzair Adam

The Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), established by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator (Dr.) Barau I Jibrin, has published the list of beneficiaries for its 2024 foreign postgraduate scholarships.

The scholarships focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics technology, cybersecurity, and forensic science.

A statement issued on Thursday by Ismail Mudashir, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senator Barau, revealed that students from Kano Central, Kano North, and Kano South Senatorial Districts have been selected to pursue advanced studies abroad.

The scholarship initiative aims to foster academic excellence and support technological development in Nigeria.

The scholarships were designed to address the shortage of skilled professionals in these specialized areas.

Admission letters will be distributed to the beneficiaries on Monday, September 9th, 2024, at the Amani Event Centre in Kano.

This move aligns with Senator Barau’s commitment to educational empowerment and the promotion of expertise in cutting-edge technological fields.