The Kano State Anti-corruption and Public Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into an alleged N1.5 billion fraud tied to the state’s foreign scholarship program.
As part of the probe, two senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education have been questioned regarding discrepancies in the sponsorship of 1,001 students who were reportedly sent to study in India and Kenya for postgraduate degrees.
The state government had initiated a program to sponsor 1,001 students for master’s degrees in India and Uganda, as part of a foreign scholarship scheme introduced by Governor Abba Yusuf.
Recently, Governor Yusuf hosted a farewell dinner for the first batch of 550 beneficiaries, praising former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso for launching the initiative.
However, it has emerged that only 418 students were actually sent abroad, sparking concerns over the fate of the remaining students and the funds allocated for their studies.
The commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabiru A. Kabiru, confirmed the interrogation of the two officials and the ongoing investigation into the suspected scholarship fraud.
He stated, “Preliminary investigations have uncovered fraudulent activities within the Ministry of Higher Education regarding the postgraduate scholarships to India and Uganda. We are thoroughly investigating the matter, and anyone found guilty, regardless of their position, will be prosecuted.”
