Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has taken a decisive step to rescue the futures of stranded graduates whose academic certificates were withheld due to unpaid fees by the previous administration. In a bold and unprecedented move, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus on December 9, 2024, to resolve the lingering crisis affecting students of Near East University.
According to Ibrahim Adam, the governor’s Special Adviser on Information, the visit centered on recovering certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in the critical fields of Medicine and Nursing. These certificates had been delayed for years due to an unpaid debt by the Kano State government.
Governor Yusuf secured the release of the certificates by settling the outstanding amount of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion), owed for 84 students sponsored under previous administrations. The certificates will be officially handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey.
“The withholding of these certificates has stalled the professional dreams of many of our children and deprived the state of much-needed medical expertise,” the governor said. He emphasized that the rescue mission aligns with his administration’s broader vision to revamp the education sector and prioritize youth empowerment.
The governor’s initiative has sparked widespread commendation, with many viewing it as a signal of a new era in Kano’s educational development. It also reflects the administration’s commitment to restoring dignity and hope to affected graduates, many of whom have been unable to practice their professions or pursue further opportunities.
This development is seen as part of a broader strategy to repair the educational setbacks inflicted by past leadership. It also reinforces Yusuf’s determination to invest in human capital as a key driver of progress in the state.
With this intervention, Governor Yusuf has not only righted a long-standing wrong but has also positioned Kano graduates to contribute meaningfully to the state’s healthcare system and beyond. His focus on accountability and youth empowerment continues to define his administration’s approach to governance.
