The Governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani has affirmed that Kaduna State’s decision to slash tuition fees at state-owned tertiary institutions by up to 50 per cent is removing long-standing financial barriers to university education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State Students Union chapter at Kaduna State University (KASU) on Thursday, Sani stated that the fee cut has widened access to education.
‘This reduction in tuition fees has paved the way for more students from humble backgrounds to bag university degrees with ease in Kaduna State’, he said.
The tuition reduction, introduced in 2023, followed public outcry over high fees affecting enrollment and retention amid a rise in living costs.
The policy affected all state-owned tertiary institutions and saw fees reduced by between 30 and 50 per cent.
The governor was honoured with the ‘Sword of Honour Award’ by the student union, which also centred its public lecture on his administration’s achievements. In response, Sani pledged continued support to students and urged them to prioritize peace and unity.
‘No meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust’, he warned.
He cautioned students against being manipulated by ‘agents of disunity and chaos’ who aim to destabilize their communities and derail their educational pursuits.
Highlighting broader state achievements, the governor noted improvements in security, especially in regions once plagued by violence.
He cited the reopening of the Birnin Gwari cattle market after more than a decade of closure and the resumption of activities in other markets across Giwa Local Government.
In infrastructure, Sani reported progress over the past 22 months, including the construction of 78 roads totaling 775 kilometers, remodelling of general hospitals and healthcare centres, and ongoing school refurbishment projects.
During the event, the student union commended the governor for his commitment to education, specifically citing the establishment of new faculties at KASU and the facilitation of a Central Bank of Nigeria intervention project for the university’s engineering faculty.
They also applauded his directive allowing students to sit for exams regardless of outstanding fees.
