Mustapha Muhammad
The atmosphere in the historic Coronation Hall in the Ancient City of Kano has been filled with joy and happiness as Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Governor of Kano state, then sponsored more than 590 students for post-graduate studies again.
The event on 12th November, 2025 marked the flagging off ceremony of the second batch of the 1001 Postgraduate Scheme which saw 350 students going for foreign countries of India, Malaysia and Uganda while the remaining 240 students will study in domestic universities with highest repute in the country, marking another style of inclusivity and educational development in the country.
The male beneficiaries adorned with colourful white dress and red cap while the female beneficiaries largely wear red veil, in symbolic stylish of Kwankwasiyya appearance.
Rising their two hands with four fingers up; showing solidarity with the governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and signaling that he should go again for the second term; due to his incredible performances.
It would be recalled that two years ago, Abba Kabir Yusuf launched the first batch of 1001 postgraduate students numbering 418 who travelled to India and other foreign countries for postgraduate scholarship, which all of them have since returned home; largely graduated with flying colours, and contributing to the development of the state in different fields of science and arts.
At the event, the students, parents, relatives and government functionaries are happy, smiles written across their faces; as the students enter into a new chapter of their lives with the highest hope that Kano state would continue to be the hub of excellence and progress educationally.,
Governor Yusuf, in his blueprint during the campaigns back in 2023, made it clear that if elected, his administration would give education the first, second, and third priority.
Here we are, witnessing the fulfilment of his own promises and building capacity head-on, Kano has since begun reaping the benefits of the commitments of the Governor in educational development.
Impacts
We have seen a success in NECO this year’s result Kano emerged the first and the best, we have seen post graduate students that returned back with fresh ideas helping the state and neighbouring states and entire north, a typical example is the ART Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) the first in Kano and entire north, helping the entire north.
It is knowledge the doctors acquired to help those who don’t give birth to deliver babies, a technology that was absent in the north; you have to go to Lagos or abroad to get access to the facilities and the technology; Kano and the entire north are to enjoy that courtesy of His Excellency’s Foreign Scholarship Scheme.
There were several knowledge transfers on this Scheme to Kano state from the first batch beneficiaries of the Scheme, numbering 418. Yusuf, the governor, is a rare gem.
In his speech at the flagging off of the second batch of the postgraduate, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, applauded the initiator of the Scheme, Engineer Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“In pursuit of human capital development, our administration revived the Foreign Post graduate Scholarship Program introduced by His Excellency Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Under this program, 418 students benefited in the first batch at a total cost of N5 billion, and I am delighted to announce that all have completed their studies and returned to us, with a few who got employment and decided to stay there.”
He continued, “today we gather here to flag off the second batch, consisting of a total of 590 beneficiaries: 350 to study in India and 240 in leading private universities across Nigeria.”
This is a patriotism to the highest order, helping young, able, talented, youth to pursue education in foreign and domestic universities with highest repute, transferring knowledge to the State with highest population in the north and entire country.
Imagining the future of the state in a couple of six more years. The Kano would stand tall in Africa’s economic giant.
The Governor’s decision to send students abroad especially in science, engineering, and medicine, stems from the conviction that exposure to international learning environments will strengthen our human resources base and position Kano as a hub of excellence and progress.
No doubt, with these huge successes on educational transformations from all angles by the people’s governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, I can proudly say on Postgraduate Scholarship, the Foresight Governor Did It Again.
Muhammad is the Chief Press Secretary to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf. He writes from the ancient city of Kano.
