Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the former Governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has declared education the most lasting legacy a leader can give to society. He made this statement during the first annual convention of beneficiaries from the Kwankwasiyya scholarship programme, held in Kano.
A Historic Gathering of Scholars
Addressing the assembly, Kwankwaso expressed gratitude for what he termed “a very historic day for Kano State and Nigeria.” The event brought together scholars sponsored over a period of nearly 25 years. “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 grey hair,” he remarked, highlighting their transformation.
In a statement issued by Dr. Mansur Hassan, Kwankwaso emphasized that the gathering taught vital lessons in leadership, sustainability, and foresight. He stressed that true governance is measured by its long-term impact on human capital. Following the 2019 general elections, when government sponsorship for foreign students ended, Kwankwaso revealed he took personal responsibility to continue the programme through the Kwankwasiyya Development Foundation (KDF).
“I realised I had properties I did not need — plots in Lagos, Kaduna, Sokoto, Adamawa and other places. I sold them all and used the proceeds to sponsor 370 young men and women from Kano State to study abroad,” he disclosed.
Massive Output of Doctors, Engineers, and Pilots
The programme's impact is monumental. Before the foundation's intervention, it had already supported over 3,000 students within four years to study in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. According to records from the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly, the initiative has produced:
- Hundreds of medical doctors and specialists serving in teaching hospitals in Nigeria and abroad.
- Scores of pilots, flight engineers, and air traffic control specialists.
- Thousands of engineers, ICT experts, and technologists boosting Nigeria's digital and infrastructure sectors.
- Academics and researchers, with over 300 PhD holders unveiled at the convention.
- Numerous pharmacists, architects, economists, lawyers, and policy experts working globally.
Dr. Mansur Hassan, National President of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly (KSA), praised the programme as “the most unprecedented scholarship programme Nigeria has ever witnessed.” He noted that without Kwankwasiyya scholars, several tertiary institutions in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Bauchi, and Gombe would face academic challenges.
Integration and a Warning Against Elitism
Kwankwaso clarified that the foundation's goal extends beyond sponsorship. It includes tracking, mentoring, and integrating beneficiaries into public service 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 said.
However, he issued a strong caution against elitism. “It is not fair for someone with a PhD or master’s degree to feel too big to serve at the ward level,” Kwankwaso warned. He also urged proper documentation of all beneficiaries for better coordination.
While acknowledging the loyalty of most scholars, he cautioned the few who had switched allegiances, stating that betrayal does not lead to lasting success.
Future Hopes and Government Recognition
Kwankwaso expressed hope for a future with scholar-governors and a scholar-president in Nigeria. He thanked the incumbent Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing many scholars as commissioners, advisers, and senior aides. He prayed to see a day when a programme beneficiary becomes governor of Kano State or even President of Nigeria.
Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, commended Kwankwaso's foresight, describing the scholarship as one of the most impactful human-capital interventions in Nigeria's history. Dr. Hassan also announced plans to establish a Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly Research Institute to drive evidence-based governance and policy development.
The event, attended by many dignitaries, featured award presentations to Senator Kwankwaso and goodwill messages from scholars worldwide. It concluded with prayers for the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Kano State, and Nigeria.
