Former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has hosted over 300 PhD holders produced through the Kwankwasiyya scholarship programme at the maiden annual convention of Kwankwasiyya scholars held in Kano.
Kwankwaso described education as the most enduring legacy any leader could leave behind, stressing that sustained investment in human capital remains the true measure of good governance.
The remarks were contained in a statement signed by the National President of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly, Dr Mansur Hassan, and issued to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday.
Speaking at the convention, which brought together beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme sponsored over nearly 25 years, Kwankwaso described the gathering as historic for both Kano State and Nigeria.
“I remember many of you when you were very young. Some of you looked like you came straight from the villages. Today, I see confidence, professionalism and even grey hair,” he said.
He noted that the event underscored the importance of leadership, sustainability and foresight, adding that governance should be judged by its long-term impact on citizens’ lives.
Kwankwaso disclosed that after the 2019 general elections, when government sponsorship of foreign students was discontinued, he decided to personally sustain the programme through the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation.
“I realised I had properties I did not need—plots in Lagos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Adamawa and other places. I sold them and used the proceeds to sponsor 370 young men and women from Kano State to study abroad,” he said.
According to him, before then, the programme had sponsored over 3,000 students within four years to study in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
He added that the initiative had produced hundreds of medical doctors and specialists, scores of pilots and aviation professionals, thousands of engineers, ICT experts and technologists, as well as academics and researchers, including over 300 PhD holders.
Kwankwaso said the foundation’s objective extended beyond education sponsorship to tracking, mentoring and integrating beneficiaries into public service, governance and national development.
“That is why we decided to engage you politically—at ward, local government, state, zonal and, by the grace of God, national levels, for those who are interested,” he stated.
He cautioned scholars against elitism, saying advanced academic qualifications should not be a barrier to grassroots service.
“It is not fair for someone with a PhD or master’s degree to feel too big to serve at the ward level,” he said.
Kwankwaso also commended Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, for appointing several beneficiaries of the programme as commissioners, advisers and senior aides, expressing optimism that scholars would eventually emerge as governors and even president.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, described the scholarship scheme as one of the most impactful human-capital development interventions in Nigeria’s history, praising Kwankwaso’s foresight and consistency.
In his remarks, the National President of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly, Dr Mansur Hassan, said the convention marked a defining moment for the scholars, describing the initiative as “the most unprecedented scholarship programme Nigeria has ever witnessed.”
Hassan added that several tertiary institutions across Kano and neighbouring states would face serious academic challenges without Kwankwasiyya scholars, noting that the convention featured award presentations, goodwill messages and testimonials from beneficiaries.
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