Zamfara Concerned Citizens has criticized Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, over the abandonment of over 100 students from Zamfara State who were sponsored to study in Cyprus.
These students have been left stranded, without financial support, and are struggling to survive.”
The students were dismissed from their institutions and are reportedly facing harsh conditions abroad, according to a statement issued Wednesday by a concerned citizens’ group.
The group’s spokesperson, Abubakar Mansur described the situation as “heart-wrenching,” condemning Governor Dauda Lawal Dare for allegedly halting funding for the students’ tuition fees.
According to him ,the scholarship program, initially launched to empower promising youth from Zamfara, has taken a troubling turn as financial backing was suddenly withdrawn over a year ago, leaving the students in limbo.
“As a result,” the spokesperson said, “the students were dismissed from their schools and forced into precarious living conditions without shelter or proper resources.”
“With little choice, some students are reportedly resorting to sleeping in mosques and public areas, while others have taken up menial jobs just to afford basic needs.”
Meanwhile,families of the students and the wider Zamfara community are now calling for urgent intervention to reinstate the financial support initially pledged.
Abubakar said many hope that restoring this assistance will allow these young scholars to complete their studies and eventually return to Nigeria, where they can contribute to society as educated professionals.
So far, Governor Dare’s office has not issued a response to these allegations.