Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has approved the release of over N715 million for indigent students who are indigenes of the state but studying in universities in Egypt and India.
Briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Isah Abubakar Tunga, said the funds had been disbursed to the respective institutions to cover tuition, registration and upkeep for the students.
He said a total of N177.35 million was paid for registration, tuition, upkeep, visa extension and internship for 28 students at Subharti and GD Goenka universities in India.
‘Also, N117.7 million was paid as upkeep allowances for 25 Kebbi students studying Medicine in seven universities in Egypt.
‘N70.2 million was released as financial assistance to some Kebbi students studying Pharmacy, Medicaland Allied Sciences at Jaipur National and GD Goenka universities in India.
‘Additionally, N349.7 million was paid for registration, tuition and upkeep allowances for 35 students departing Nigeria for Ethiopia to study Medicine and Pharmacy’, the commissioner said.
He added that the governor had also approved the appointment of Dr Muhammad Murtala Musa as the pioneer provost of the Kauran Gwandu College of Midwifery Sciences, Ambursa, in Birnin Kebbi.
