Northern group demands action from Zamfara govt for stranded students

The Northern Awareness Network (NAN) has criticised the Zamfara State government’s recent attempt to blame former Governor Bello Matawalle for the plight of 93 students stranded in Cyprus.

The group dismissed the claims that unpaid fees and poor documentation were responsible for the student’s situation, describing them as fabricated and aimed at deflecting responsibility from the current administration under Governor Dauda Lawal.

In a statement released on Thursday, NAN stressed that government continuity should be prioritised and that the scholarship initiative for Zamfara’s youth, launched under the Matawalle administration, should be recognized rather than undermined for political gain.

NAN Chairman Salihu Suleiman argued that the real issue lies in the current government’s failure to fulfil its obligations to the students, questioning why the students were allowed to travel to Cyprus if there were concerns over documentation or fees. He further criticised the government for remaining silent for months while the crisis worsened, only to blame the previous administration when it became a public issue.

The group urged Governor Lawal to focus on addressing the immediate needs of the stranded students, such as facilitating their return to Nigeria, ensuring their safety, and exploring options for their continued education.

NAN also called on the state government to take responsibility for its shortcomings and avoid manipulating public opinion with misleading narratives.

NAN reaffirmed its solidarity with the students and their families, urging the Zamfara government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the students’ welfare and to fulfil the promises made under the scholarship programme.

The group stressed that the current administration must take concrete action to resolve the students’ situation and restore public confidence.