The Kano State Anti-corruption and Public Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into an alleged ₦1.5 billion fraud involving the state’s foreign scholarship scheme.
The probe focuses on two top officials from the Ministry of Higher Education who are being questioned regarding the disbursement of funds for 1,001 students supposedly studying in India and Uganda.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Kano State Government had sponsored 1,001 postgraduate students to pursue master’s degrees as part of its foreign scholarship program.
The initiative, which was inaugurated by Governor Abba Yusuf, is aimed at promoting academic excellence through international education.
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Governor Yusuf recently hosted a farewell dinner for the first batch of 550 scholarship beneficiaries at the Government House, where he praised former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for introducing the scheme.
However, discrepancies have arisen, as NAN reports that only 418 students were actually sent abroad, sparking concerns about the fate of the remaining 583 students.
Kabiru A. Kabiru, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the investigation, stating that the two top ministry officials have been interrogated in connection with the alleged fraud. He indicated that the investigation is ongoing, and those responsible will face justice.
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“Preliminary investigations uncovered fraudulent activities at the Ministry of Higher Education related to the postgraduate scholarship program for studies in India and Uganda,” Kabiru said.
“We have opened an investigation to uncover the full details, and anyone involved, regardless of their position, will be prosecuted.”
The commission is now working to track down the missing students and the misappropriated funds, aiming to hold accountable those involved in the alleged scandal.
NAN