The Zamfara State government has clarified its position regarding the challenges faced by 93 students on scholarship in Cyprus, sponsored by the previous administration.
The students, who were sent to Cyprus International University in 2020 under former Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle’s administration, are reportedly facing hardships due to what officials described as “neglect” and lack of proper arrangements by the former administration.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, cited an absence of any formal agreement between the former administration and the university, leaving students vulnerable to poor treatment by the institution.
According to Madawaki, there was “no documentary evidence” of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and Matawalle’s administration, which resulted in poor arrangements for the students’ accommodation and meal plans.
The Commissioner further alleged that an intermediary consultant managed the admission and travel processes, leading to costly financial arrangements without oversight.
By 2022, the funding for tuition, accommodation, and feeding allowances ceased, leading to mounting debts and hardship for students.
Following the election of Governor Dauda Lawal, the current administration investigated the situation, discovering an “outrageous debt profile” due to fees owed, even after students were reportedly denied access to lectures and services for almost a year.
In response, Governor Lawal’s administration made an initial payment of ₦84.7 million in November 2023 to cover part of the tuition. Additional funds were subsequently allocated to cover short-term accommodation costs while awaiting a reconciliation of fees.
Madawaki announced that plans are underway to secure long-term accommodation, feeding allowances, and renewed travel permits for the remaining 88 students.
The commissioner reassured the public of the government’s commitment to resolving the issues, stating that legal agreements and financial transparency will be prioritized for future scholarship programs to prevent similar issues.
Zamfara government explains issues facing 93 scholarship students in Cyprus
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