Sokoto Govt Sponsors 22 Indigenes to Study Professional Courses in India, Pakistan
The Sokoto State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to sponsoring qualified indigenes to pursue professional courses abroad as part of efforts to bridge critical manpower gaps in the state.
Speaking during a farewell ceremony for the first batch of students sponsored to study in India and Pakistan, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir, said the initiative was designed to produce highly skilled professionals in fields where the state currently lacks adequate expertise.
Gobir explained that the government would only sponsor courses that are not available in Nigerian institutions, stressing that the programme was a strategic investment aimed at strengthening human capital development in Sokoto State.
He urged the beneficiaries to conduct themselves responsibly and serve as worthy ambassadors of the state while abroad, warning them against actions that could tarnish the image of Sokoto or jeopardize their studies.
The Deputy Governor also advised the students to remain focused on their academic pursuits and make good use of the opportunity, noting that the government had committed substantial resources to their education.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto State Scholarship Board, Alhaji Kabir Labaran, commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritizing education and supporting the development of skilled professionals.
According to him, the state government has cleared billions of naira in scholarship-related debts inherited from the previous administration, including obligations owed to tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.
A total of 22 students were selected for the overseas scholarship programme and will study courses such as Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Radiology and other specialized fields.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Alhaji Mustafa Aminu expressed gratitude to the Sokoto State Government for giving their children the opportunity to pursue higher education abroad.
