A group of 704 students from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sokoto zonal office, seeking an investigation into the failure of the Special Adviser on Students’ Matters to the state governor, Abubakar Muhammad Salame, to pay their tuition fees.
The students, who are indigenes of Sokoto State, have also called on Governor Dr. Ahmed Aliyu to intervene in the matter to prevent further damage to their academic careers. The petitioners accused Salame of allegedly diverting funds allocated for their tuition fees for personal use.
The Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, had earlier promised to prioritize the payment of tuition fees for students from the state upon assuming office. The state government had approved the payment of tuition fees for 5,994 indigent students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University. However, only 5,290 of these students were able to receive the payment, leaving 704 students still awaiting funds.
Usman Yahuza, leader of the affected students, explained that between May 14-18, 2024, officials designated by the Special Adviser verified the students who were supposed to benefit from the funds. However, the payment was only completed for 5,290 students in three separate batches, leaving the remaining 704 without the necessary tuition fee payment.
As a result, some students were forced to defer their admission, others withdrew their enrollment due to an inability to pay, while a few were given temporary identity cards, allowing them to participate in the ongoing semester exams.
The Special Adviser, Abubakar Muhammad Salame, when contacted for comment, stated that he would address the allegations at the appropriate time.
