The Kano State Anti-corruption and Public Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into a suspected fraud within the state’s N1.5 billion foreign scholarship programme.
The inquiry focuses on discrepancies in student numbers, with only 418 students reportedly sent abroad out of the 1,001 students listed for foreign studies.
Two senior officials from Kano’s Ministry of Higher Education are currently under investigation concerning the scholarship programme designed to send postgraduate students to India and Uganda.
Initially introduced by former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso, the scholarship scheme was intended to support students pursuing master’s degrees abroad, an initiative Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf recently commended at a farewell dinner held for the first batch of 550 beneficiaries.
The Public Relations Officer for the anti-corruption commission, Kabiru A. Kabiru, confirmed the ongoing probe.
“We have commenced an intensive investigation to find out the truth of the matter, and whoever is found to have been involved will be prosecuted, no matter their position,” Kabiru stated.
The question of how many students were genuinely sent overseas versus the official list has stirred public interest.
Despite the government’s claim of 1,001 students abroad, only 418 appear to have been placed in foreign institutions in India and Kenya.
The Commission has committed to scrutinising all details and ensuring accountability as it seeks answers regarding the whereabouts and validity of the scholarship allocations.
This case brings renewed attention to transparency in government initiatives and underscores Kano’s dedication to rooting out corruption in its educational programs.
