Popular UK-based lawyer and activist, Dr Bulama Bukarti has revealed that Kano state students on foreign scholarship are facing financial hardship because of insufficient allowances.
Daily News 24 reports that Dr Bukarti said this while hosting a weekly online discussion program, Fashin Baki on Monday.
Speaking alongside another lawyer, Abba Hikima, Dr Bukarti explained that some of the foreign scholarship beneficiaries have written a letter to the program, outlining their challenges.
According to Dr Bukarti, the government had promised each student $150 monthly, equivalent to approximately N240,000. However, students have only been receiving $62.50, roughly N100,000.
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Dr Bukarti pointed out that N100,000 is inadequate for sustaining oneself abroad, where living costs are significantly higher.
“Some of these students are married with families. For instance, a student with a family can send $31, which is about N50,000, leaving him with only N50,000 for his own expenses,” Bukarti explained.
He further noted that while some of the sponsored students are government employees and manage to cope with their monthly salaries, others, who are involved in business, find themselves stranded.
He said these students have exhausted their savings due to insufficient funding and are struggling to meet their expenses.
“Typically, Kano State provides $150 for students to cover research, conference meetings, and other expenses. However, families of these students are unaware of the reduced amount being sent and are now facing significant challenges,” he explained.
Dr Bukarti also recounted his experience visiting students in Uganda, noting that out of 31 to 36 students the state government sent there, 12 had already returned to Kano due to financial difficulties.
In light of these issues, Dr Bukarti called on the Kano State government to address the situation promptly.
“We urge the government to take adequate action as promised. If the government responds, the students will be grateful. Otherwise, we will have to reach out to the Commissioner of Higher Education or any relevant authority for assistance,” he said.
However, Daily New 24’s attempt to contact the state’s Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-Mata was unsuccessful as he did not answered a phone call seeking his comments on the issue.
Dr Kofar Mata did not also responded to a text message on the matter.
Recall that in October 2023, the Kano state government had sponsored a total of 1001 indigenes of the state with first class degrees for a scholarship program in India and Uganda.
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