By Ladan Nasidi, Kano
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector as he officially flagged off the second batch of the 1001 Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme at a ceremony held in the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
“Education remains our first, second, and third priority,” the governor declared. “We inherited a system in decay, but we are determined to rebuild it from the ground up.”
Addressing hundreds of beneficiaries, parents, and dignitaries, the governor expressed delight at the milestone, describing the initiative as a cornerstone of his government’s human capital development agenda.
Governor Yusuf recalled that upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, the education sector in Kano State was riddled with dilapidated structures, overcrowded classrooms, and demoralised teachers.
In response, the administration declared a State of Emergency on Education on June 8, 2024, and has since made budgetary commitments of 29.95% in 2024 and 31% in the 2025 budget toward education.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Governor Yusuf noted the construction of hundreds of new classrooms, renovation of over 3,500 existing ones, recruitment and promotion of over 8,000 new teachers, and provision of free uniforms, furniture, and instructional materials to primary schools across the state.
Reduce registration fees
At the tertiary level, he revealed that the government approved ₦2 billion to support Kano indigenes studying in public universities nationwide and directed all state-owned tertiary institutions to reduce registration fees by 50% for the 2023/2024 session.
In addition, the administration said it cleared over ₦3 billion in outstanding liabilities owed to several private and international universities by the previous government.
“We have paid ₦500 million to five Nigerian private universities, ₦2.4 billion to Near East University in Cyprus, and ₦55.3 million to the Digital Bridge Institute,” he stated, explaining that this intervention allowed affected students to finally obtain their certificates and progress in their careers.
Governor Yusuf also announced the revival of the College of Education and Remedial Studies, Ghari, and the establishment of a new Polytechnic in Gaya, aimed at expanding access to technical and vocational education aligned with the state’s economic needs.
The governor said that under the first phase of the revived scholarship scheme originally introduced by Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, 418 students benefited at a total cost of ₦5 billion and have since completed their studies abroad.
The second batch, flagged off on Tuesday, comprises 590 beneficiaries, including 350 students set to study in India and 240 in top private universities across Nigeria.
This marks the first-ever domestic postgraduate scholarship component introduced by the Kano State Government to encourage academic excellence within Nigerian institutions.
Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to uphold the values of discipline, integrity, and hard work that earned them the opportunity, warning them against any conduct that could tarnish the image of the state.
“You are ambassadors of Kano and Nigeria. Avoid all forms of misconduct—illicit drugs, protests, immorality, or cybercrime. Make us proud through your excellence,” he advised.
He congratulated the students and their families, expressing optimism that their acquired knowledge and experiences will contribute significantly to Kano State’s socio-economic transformation.
“It is my singular honour to officially flag off the second batch of the 1001 Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme. May Almighty Allah guide and bless you all,” he concluded.
The event drew applause from attendees, marking yet another chapter in Governor Yusuf’s ambitious education reform agenda designed to reposition Kano as a leading centre of learning and innovation in Nigeria.
Lateefah Ibrahim