Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has granted automatic employment to 54 postgraduate students who benefited from a foreign scholarship programme to study health-related courses in India.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Kano. The announcement was made during a reception and Iftar (Ramadan breaking of fast) event held in honour of the returning students, who completed their studies at Symbiosis International University in Pune, India.
“We have made all necessary arrangements to offer you automatic employment within the Kano State Civil Service,” the governor stated. “Your appointment letters will be issued shortly through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Head of Service. You will also benefit from the newly implemented minimum wage of ₦71,000 in the state.”
Yusuf expressed concern over the trend of government-sponsored scholars seeking employment outside Kano rather than contributing to the state’s development.
“I am surprised to see beneficiaries of government scholarships working elsewhere instead of using their expertise to improve the lives of our people, especially in tackling critical health issues such as maternal mortality and sickle cell anaemia,” he said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining the foreign scholarship programme initiated by former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, noting that out of 1,000 beneficiaries, 418 had been sent to India and Uganda last year, all of whom had now graduated. The remaining 68 students in India are expected to return by April.
Among the 54 returning scholars are 36 medical doctors, 11 pharmacists, two anatomists, and a radiographer.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board, Kabiru Getso, highlighted that some of the courses studied were the first of their kind in Kano and Northern Nigeria, positioning the state to improve healthcare services significantly.
“All the students excelled academically, completing their programmes with impressive grades and no carryovers,” Getso noted.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Yusuf Abdulmalik Abubakar, the group’s representative, expressed deep gratitude to the Kano State Government.
“This opportunity has changed our lives. We are immensely grateful,” he said.
