The Kano State government has successfully negotiated a reduction of over N2 billion in tuition liabilities owed to the Middle East University in Cyprus, for the education of students on scholarship.
The negotiations undertaken by the incumbent Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf-led government has reduced the debt burden inherited from the previous administration totalling over €3million (approximately N4 billion) for tuition fees of students sponsored by the state between 2015 and 2019, to now N1.9 billion.
This was disclosed by Governor Yusuf on Wednesday during the 22nd State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the Government House in Kano.
Taking to his verified Facebook page on Wednesday night, the governor said: “The meeting afforded me the opportunity to inform the cabinet, which has a new look, that we have successfully negotiated a reduction of over two billion naira in tuition liabilities owed to the Middle East University, Cyprus, for the education of state-sponsored students.
“After two days of talks, the Kano State Government and the University agreed on an additional 15% discount, bringing the final settlement to N1.9 billion.
“This intervention not only resolves a longstanding issue but also saves Kano State over N2 billion.
“The intervention reduces a debt inherited from the previous administration totaling over 3 million euros (approximately N4 billion) for tuition fees of students sponsored by the state between 2015 and 2019.
“During my recent visit to Cyprus, I found that all the students had returned to Kano over five years ago without receiving their certificates due to the unpaid fees.
“Among the 50 affected students were graduates who had completed advanced degrees in fields such as medicine and other professions, but unable to practice due to the withheld documents.”
