Zamfara Government Rescues 93 Students Stranded In Cyprus, Blames Matawalle For Crisis

Abuja, Nigeria – The Zamfara State government has rescued 93 students stranded at the Cyprus International University, citing improper documentation and unpaid fees as the cause of their plight.

The government has accused the previous administration of Bello Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, of negligence in the matter, claiming the students were left without proper support and exposed to hardship.

The Zamfara State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, in a press conference in Abuja, stated that there was no evidence of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the previous administration.

The students were reportedly left in the care of the University authorities without proper arrangements for their tuition fees, accommodation, and feeding allowances.

Madawaki elaborated that a “consultant” was hired by the Matawalle administration to manage the student program, who allegedly negotiated a “full package” deal with the university, leaving the students at the mercy of the institution for accommodation and meals, regardless of actual consumption.

The commissioner asserted that the Matawalle administration failed to fulfil its financial responsibilities to the university starting in 2022, leading to the accumulation of substantial debt.

This failure, coupled with the lack of a formal agreement, resulted in the university subjecting the students to “unwanted and unwarranted bad treatment” due to the absence of clear responsibilities outlined in a signed document.

The present administration has since intervened and made partial payments for tuition fees, accommodation, and other debts, while ongoing reconciliation of accounts takes place.

Five students are reported to have left the university, with the remaining 88 now receiving the necessary support.

The government is said to have rejected the university’s initial debt claim, citing inflated fees for accommodation and meals, even when students were not receiving these services.

The commissioner highlighted the present administration’s commitment to resolving the issue and securing the students’ welfare.

The government’s accusations against the previous administration have sparked controversy, with calls for further investigation into the matter and accountability for the mishandling of the student’s program.

The incident highlights the need for stricter protocols and transparency in government-sponsored education programs to prevent similar situations in the future.