By Emmanuel Kwada
The Zamfara State government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, has made significant progress in resolving scholarship issues with institutions in India and Sudan. However, Cyprus International University remains a stubborn challenge.
In India, Zamfara indigenes have completed their studies and are preparing to return home. In Sudan, the state government collaborated with the university to organize exams for 14 nursing students who couldn’t take their finals due to the war. The government even covered expenses for three examiners from Sudan to travel to Nigeria.
Despite paying N84.7 million and N30.9 million to Cyprus International University in November 2023, and an additional N100 million in June 2024, the university has consistently rejected the state government’s requests to discuss ongoing issues
Despite paying N84.7 million and N30.9 million to Cyprus International University in November 2023, and an additional N100 million in June 2024, the university has consistently rejected the state government’s requests to discuss ongoing issues concerning Zamfara scholarship students.
Governor Lawal formed a three-member delegation to visit Cyprus International University and address the issues. The delegation met with university management, including Professor Majid and Professor Habil Nadiri, and presented various concerns, such as non-registration of students, hostel ejections, and food deprivation.
The Nigerian Foreign Mission in Ankara is working to encourage the Cyprus Diplomatic Mission to press Cyprus International University for necessary official documents
The Zamfara delegation discovered inconsistencies in the university’s accounting, with two different offices providing conflicting totals of the state’s outstanding debt (EUR 947,544.71 and EUR 650,730.24).
The Nigerian Foreign Mission in Ankara is working to encourage the Cyprus Diplomatic Mission to press Cyprus International University for necessary official documents. The Zamfara State Government awaits communication from the university to resolve the issue.