EU hosts Study Fair in Kano, recommits self to education, democracy in Nigeria

From Desmond Mgboh, Kano

The European Union (EU), yesterday hosted a successful Study Fair in Kano State, designed to facilitate educational relationship between European universities and Nigerian students.

The Fair, attended by secondary and university students from different North West states, offered opportunities  for interaction with on – ground representatives of several European institutions on available academic programmes, scholarships, and research opportunities.

Speaking at the Fair, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, stated that the Fair was designed to enhance equitable access to quality education, especially for girls in addition to strengthening EU-Nigeria relations.

He emphasized the EU’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s education, growth and stability, promoting its democracy, rule of law, and multilateralism.

He also spoke about the benefits of the Erasmus Scholarship programme, noting that over 500 Nigerian students, researchers, and staff have participated in mobility programs to Europe.

In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf stressed the commitment of his administration to quality education, noting that they had allocated over 30 percent of the state’s 2025 budget to education.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Hadi Bala Yahaya, the Governor stated that teh government was sending over 1000 students abroad for studies adding that only recently about 160state sponsored  foreign trained graduates had returned home upon their graduation.

“We are committed to the education of our children and we are ready to work with you”,  he declared.