Kano Scholarship Funds Under Scrutiny as 2025 Budget Utilization Dips to 1.9 Percent Amid Unpaid Local Awards

Onoja Baba

The Kano State Scholarship Board recorded a budget utilization rate of 1.9 percent in 2025 according to performance reports obtained by SecretsReporters. The board’s original budget stood at N19.027 billion with a year-end expenditure of N365.816 million leaving a balance of N18.662 billion against the final budget.

This low spending occurred within the Ministry for Higher Education which had an overall utilization of 31.5 percent on its N80.772 billion original budget amounting to N25.655 billion expended by year-end. 

Quarterly breakdowns show incremental but minimal progress. In the first quarter the board spent N10.548 million achieving 0.1 percent utilization. The second quarter added N12.349 million bringing the year-to-date to N22.896 million still at 0.1 percent. The third quarter contributed N26.233 million raising the cumulative to N49.129 million at 0.3 percent. The fourth quarter saw N316.687 million expended culminating in the 1.9 percent annual rate. 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission launched an investigation into the board’s fund administration in 2025 following a petition alleging financial impropriety. The probe prompted invitations to officials from the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education and the Scholarship Board for documents and clarifications.

These officials including Permanent Secretary Hadi Bala filed suit FCT/HC/CV/2857/2025 to halt the process claiming rights violations. The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the suit in September 2025 affirming the commission’s investigative authority. 

Public records indicate the administration prioritized foreign and postgraduate scholarships during the year. In November 2025 Governor Abba Yusuf bid farewell to 350 state-sponsored postgraduate students heading to India. The governor warned 590 scholarship beneficiaries abroad to uphold discipline and integrity. Earlier in May 2025 the government settled outstanding fees for 84 Kano students stranded abroad paying their tuition and accommodation costs. 

Local scholarships faced delays according to appeals and statements. A December 2024 letter urged the governor to prioritize local awards noting no such scholarships had been provided since his assumption of office leading to student dropouts due to financial constraints. The letter highlighted payments for fee increments at federal universities but questioned coverage for state institutions polytechnics and colleges of education. In January 2026 the government announced plans to settle unpaid scholarships inherited as liabilities including bursaries and overseas fees.

A Facebook appeal from law students at Bayero University Kano requested intervention for unpaid scholarships causing hardship despite trust in the state scheme. Criticisms emerged regarding the focus on foreign programs. An opinion piece described the foreign scholarship initiative as a brain drain with millions budgeted annually undermining local educational needs amid crumbling schools. The All Progressives Congress suggested suspending foreign scholarships for Northwest University due to fee increases conflicting with free education policies.

The broader education sector in Kano showed varied performance. The Ministry of Education utilized 71.1 percent of its N119.162 billion original budget expending N74.032 billion. Sub-units like the Senior Secondary Schools Management Board reached 77.1 percent while the Islamic and Qur’anic School Board achieved 34.1 percent. Overall state budget performance drew criticism with capital implementation below 40 percent in the first three quarters including zero spending in some water and health projects. 

The Kano State Government allocated 31.5 percent of its 2025 budget to education emphasizing quality improvements. The total state budget signed in December 2024 amounted to N719.557 billion. The administration was contacted for comment on the scholarship board’s utilization and probe but no response was received by publication time.