Kebbi releases N714.98m for tuition, upkeep of indigent students studying abroad

The Kebbi State Government has approved and released N714.98 million to cover registration, tuition and upkeep for indigent students studying in various foreign universities.

Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar-Tunga, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, describing the intervention as part of Governor Nasir Idris’ ongoing efforts to reposition tertiary education in the state to meet global standards.

He said the funds would cater for students’ registration fees, tuition, living allowances, visa extensions and internship costs.

A breakdown of the disbursement shows that N349.73 million was released for 35 Kebbi indigenes heading to Ethiopia to study Medicine and Pharmacy.

Another N177.35 million was approved for 28 students studying at Subharti and GD Goenka universities in India.

Similarly, N117.68 million was set aside as upkeep allowances for 25 Kebbi students studying Medicine across seven universities in Egypt, while N70.21 million was provided as financial support for students pursuing Pharmacy and Medical Allied Sciences at Jaipur National and GD Goenka universities in India.

Abubakar-Tunga noted that all the approvals were granted in January, bringing the governor’s total financial commitment to the ministry within the period to N714.98 million.

The commissioner also announced the appointment of Dr Muhammed Murtala-Musa as the pioneer Provost of the Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences, Ambursa.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the governor’s educational development initiatives across the state.