Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has launched the second phase of the state’s Foreign and Domestic Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, with 590 beneficiaries set to begin studies in top local and international institutions.
The ceremony, held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, marked another milestone in the governor’s ambitious drive to rebuild the state’s education system. Governor Yusuf announced that 350 students would travel to India for postgraduate studies, while 240 others would study in leading private universities across Nigeria.
He described the initiative as a cornerstone of his administration’s commitment to restoring quality education in Kano after years of decline. “Education remains our first, second, and third priority,” Yusuf declared, recalling that his government declared a state of emergency on education upon assuming office in May 2023.
The governor noted that 29.95% of the 2024 budget and 31% of the 2025 budget were devoted to the education sector—figures he said were unprecedented in Kano’s history. He highlighted massive investments made in primary and secondary education, including the construction of hundreds of classrooms, renovation of over 3,500 schools, distribution of learning materials, recruitment of 8,000 teachers, and provision of free uniforms and interest-free loans for students.
On tertiary education, Yusuf disclosed that his administration had released N2 billion to support Kano indigenes studying in public universities, while clearing inherited debts of N2.9 billion owed to private institutions.
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He further revealed that 418 students benefited from the first batch of the revived foreign scholarship programme, valued at N5 billion, with many already back in the country after completing their studies.
“This second phase marks another bold step in our vision to invest in human capital development. It reflects our belief in inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability in advancing education in Kano State,” Yusuf said.
He urged the new scholarship beneficiaries to focus on academic excellence and maintain high moral standards, warning them against any behaviour that could tarnish the image of the state abroad or at home.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Higher Education, Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, commended the governor’s unwavering commitment to education. He said the first batch of scholars, admitted in 2023, had successfully completed their master’s degrees in various disciplines from seven universities in India and Uganda, with many now serving in the state’s workforce.
Governor Yusuf’s scholarship initiative has drawn praise from education stakeholders across Nigeria, who view it as a model for sustainable human capital development in the North. The second batch of beneficiaries is expected to depart for their respective institutions in the coming weeks.
