Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has successfully negotiated a reduction of over N2 billion in tuition liabilities owed to the Middle East University, Cyprus, for the education of Kano State-sponsored students.
This significant reduction was announced during the 22nd Executive Council Meeting at the Kano Government House and marks a major breakthrough in resolving the long-standing issue.
The debt, which totaled over 3 million euros (approximately N4 billion), had been left unpaid by the previous administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
According to the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature, the liabilities covered tuition fees for students sponsored by the state between 2015 and 2019.
“This intervention not only resolved an age-long issue but also saved Kano State over N2bn,” he said.
However, the students had returned to Kano over five years ago without receiving their certificates due to unpaid fees. This situation had left many students idle and unable to utilize their qualifications.
During a recent visit to the foreign university, Yusuf discovered the plight of the students and initiated negotiations to resolve the issue. The university initially offered a reduction of 1.4 million euros, but after further negotiations, they accepted additional concessions. After two days of talks, the parties agreed on an additional 15% discount, bringing the final settlement to N1.9 billion.
The governor expressed dismay over the situation and promised to personally hand over the certificates to the affected students soon.
This move marks the resolution of a problem that has hindered their careers for years. Yusuf also announced a new policy to ensure accountability in the future.
The successful negotiation has not only resolved the long-standing issue but also saved Kano State over N2 billion.
This development is a significant milestone for the Kano State government, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to resolving inherited issues and promoting the welfare of its citizens.
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.