The European Union (EU) says it has awarded full Erasmus scholarships to 135 Nigerians this year.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuella Isopi, stated this at the flag-off of Study in Europe Fair which took place in Kano.
She said for more than 10 years, Erasmus had been open to students from all over the world and since 2014, a total of 800 brilliant Nigerian students were awarded scholarships under the programme.
The ambassador said the event was not only about connecting people through education opportunities for young Nigerians who study in Europe, but also through cooperation opportunities between universities and higher education institutions in Europe and Nigeria.
She said education in Europe would not only help students develop the skills needed to be successful in life, but also help the country to develop its human capital, which is fundamental to its development.
“This initiative is not an encouragement to Java, but an opportunity to develop and use the skills you will develop in Europe for the benefit of your country,” she said.
In his remarks, the state’s deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsslam Gwarzo, said no fewer than one million out-of-school children are roaming the streets of Kano, pointing out that the state government was doing everything possible to get them back to school.
He expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with EU in addressing the challenges.