NAN – The Kano State Government has released N492.9 million for the payment of scholarship allowances to its 23, 685 students in tertiary institutions across the country.
The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, said this when he briefed newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.
He said the payment, which would be made through the students’ accounts, was for 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic sessions.
“The state government has released the money for the payment of the allowances and the payment has since commenced through their accounts.
“In the next couple of days all the students will receive their allowance through their accounts in various banks,’’ he said.
Ririwai assured that the state government would ensure that all outstanding students’ allowances were paid before the expiration of the present administration.
He said in line with its free education policy, the government had also released another N551.7 million for the payment of registration charges to 34, 500 students in non-state tertiary institutions across the country.
“You see besides the regular payment of scholarship, the government has taken the responsibility of paying their registration charges.
“Even though tuition fee is supposed to be free in universities, they have to pay registration charges which the government has decided to pay for them,’’ he said.
The executive secretary said 90,300 students were currently being sponsored by the state government in 52 universities and other higher institutions across the country.
He noted that the singular effort would go a long way in ensuring that the state had the needed manpower equipped with the necessary skills.
