Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has come to the rescue of hundreds of stranded graduates who were unable to secure their certificates abroad after the completion of their various academic programs.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that the students who were allegedly abandoned by the previous administration due to their failure to fulfill the educational commitments under the Kano State scholarship program.
Governor Yusuf is said to have taken decisive action to retrieve the long-overdue academic certificates, signaling a renewed era of educational reform and youth empowerment in the state.
According to Ibrahim Adam, special adviser to the governor on information, the governor, Yusuf, embarked on the pivotal mission to Cyprus on December 9, 2024, aimed at resolving the lingering issue that had haunted Kano students in the diaspora.
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At the heart of the trip, he said, was a high-level meeting with the management of Near East University, where the focus was the release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019 in critical fields such as medicine and nursing.
He further stated that Governor Yusuf settled an outstanding debt of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university — a financial backlog inherited from the previous administration.
The payment covers the academic fees of 84 medical graduates whose careers had been put on hold due to the unavailability of their credentials.
Speaking on the development, Governor Yusuf said, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations. It has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.”
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring dignity and opportunity to the state’s youth, emphasizing that no effort would be spared in securing their futures.
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The certificates, which had remained in limbo for years, are now set to be officially handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey.
The handover will mark a major milestone for the affected students, many of whom have been unable to pursue careers or further education due to the impasse.
“This is more than just settling debts; it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and future prospects for our youth — the bedrock of our society.”
According to Adam, with a renewed focus on education as a cornerstone for development, Governor Yusuf’s leadership is fast becoming synonymous with visionary reform. His hands-on approach, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by international students, sends a clear message: the era of neglect is over, and Kano’s youth are a priority.
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As graduates prepare to receive their certificates and enter the workforce, the state stands to benefit from an influx of skilled professionals ready to contribute to sectors in desperate need of expertise.
From healthcare to public service, these young minds represent the future of Kano — and Governor Yusuf is ensuring that future begins now, the statement concludes.