Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has flagged off the second batch of the state’s Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme for 590 beneficiaries, aimed at strengthening human capital development and reviving the education sector.
Speaking during the ceremony held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, the governor said 350 beneficiaries would study in India, while 240 others would pursue postgraduate degrees in top private universities across Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf explained that the initiative, first introduced by Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, was revived by his administration to build the intellectual and professional capacity of Kano youths both at home and abroad.
He said 418 students benefited from the first batch of the programme at a cost of N5 billion, adding that many have since returned after completing their studies, with a few securing employment overseas.
The governor reaffirmed that education remains the foremost priority of his administration, noting that 29.95% of the 2024 budget and 31% of the 2025 budget were devoted to education — the highest allocations in the state’s history. He said the sector had suffered years of neglect before his government declared a state of emergency on education in May 2023.
Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Yusuf said the state had constructed hundreds of classrooms, renovated over 3,500 schools, distributed learning materials, recruited more than 8,000 teachers, and provided free uniforms and interest-free loans to improve learning outcomes.
On tertiary education, he disclosed that the government released N2 billion to support Kano indigenes in public universities and settled N2.9 billion in inherited liabilities owed to private institutions.
“This second phase marks another milestone in our journey to build a strong resource base that will position Kano as a hub of excellence and progress,” the governor stated, urging the beneficiaries to uphold academic excellence and discipline while representing the state abroad.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Higher Education, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, said the first batch of scholars had completed their programmes in universities across India and Uganda.
