The previous administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dedicated more than N20 billion to assist 111,687 financially disadvantaged students in pursuing postgraduate foreign scholarships across 14 countries, according to a former cabinet member.
Former commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs under Ganduje, Muhammad Garba, revealed on Monday that the previous administration spent over N20 billion from June 2015 to March 2023 to aid 111,687 financially disadvantaged students in pursuing postgraduate foreign scholarships.
According to Garba, the expenses covered various aspects such as tuition fees, accommodation, airfare, and upkeep for students pursuing postgraduate studies in foreign countries, including India, Malaysia, Egypt, Cyprus, China, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Togo, Ireland, Gambia, and Ukraine.
The expenses covered more aspects than just tuition fees. Accommodation, airfare, and student upkeep while pursuing postgraduate studies in foreign countries such as India, Malaysia, Egypt, Cyprus, China, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, Togo, Ireland, Gambia, and Ukraine, were also considered.
The former administration also sponsored postgraduate students in five private universities, the Nigerian Law School, and other domestic universities, the ex-commissioner said.
Apart from the foreign institutions, the former administration sponsored Kano’s postgraduate students in five private universities, the Nigerian Law School, and other local universities.
Garba noted that the records indicated the former administration had also supported 50 lecturers from Kano’s universities and tertiary institutions to pursue their doctorate degrees in prestigious French universities.
Records showed that 50 lecturers from Kano’s universities and tertiary institutions also received support from the previous administration to pursue their PhDs in top French universities under a joint programme between the French and Kano state governments. The state government collaborated with the French Embassy in Nigeria and invested over N600 million in a joint tuition-free postgraduate scholarship.
Responding to claims by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) that the foreign scholarship fees were unpaid, the former commissioner stated: “It was unfortunate that the present administration in the state was laying claims to the success of the foreign and local scholarship.”
The former commissioner dismissed claims made by the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) that foreign scholarship fees were unpaid, stating that it was unfortunate for the present administration in the state to claim credit for the success of the foreign and local scholarship.
The former commissioner highlighted that the Ganduje administration had reintroduced the payment of scholarship allowances to indigenous students attending Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions.
This initiative, which had been abandoned by the previous Rabiu Kwankwaso administration between 2011 and 2015, aimed to provide support to students across the state.
Under this scheme, N865.4 million was disbursed as scholarship allowances, covering logistics for payment exercises to indigenous students in the five emirates across all 44 local government areas (LGAs) of Kano State.
Furthermore, Garba noted that the Ganduje administration had increased scholarship allowances to students by 50 percent.
The Ganduje administration reinstated the payment of scholarship allowances to indigenous students attending Nigerian universities and tertiary institutions, an initiative that was abandoned by the Rabiu Kwankwaso administration between 2011 and 2015. The scheme aimed to provide support to students across the entire state of Kano, and N865.4 million was disbursed as scholarship allowances, covering logistics for payment exercises to indigenous students in the five emirates across all 44 local government areas (LGAs) of Kano State. Additionally, Garba mentioned that scholarship allowances had been increased by 50% under the Ganduje administration.
The former commissioner emphasized that the administration’s commitment to investing in education and scholarship opportunities had a significant impact on the development of human capital in Kano State. The financial support provided to both local and international students aimed to enhance educational outcomes and contribute to the state’s progress.
The former commissioner emphasized that education and scholarship opportunities investments made by the Ganduje administration helped to improve human capital development in Kano State through supporting both local and international students and enhancing educational outcomes that contribute to the state’s progress.
The former administration’s substantial investment in foreign and local scholarships has been acknowledged, with records indicating significant financial contributions towards the education of indigent students and the professional development of lecturers in prestigious universities abroad.
The previous administration’s significant investment in foreign and local scholarships has been acknowledged, as records indicate substantial financial contributions towards the education of indigent students and the professional development of lecturers in prestigious universities abroad.
