In a remarkable turn of events, 50 Zamfara State indigenes who graduated from Crescent University, Abeokuta nearly a decade ago have finally received their degree certificates after years of waiting due to unpaid tuition fees by the state government.
A Decade of Delay and Unfulfilled Dreams
For nine long years, these scholars—many of whom achieved impressive academic results including a first-class degree in Chemistry and several second-class upper degrees—were unable to obtain their graduation certificates because their tuition fees had never been settled by the Zamfara State Government.
Under the scholarship arrangement, Crescent University withheld the certificates, a common institutional policy when fees remain unpaid, leaving the graduates in a prolonged professional and personal limbo. Without their certificates, many could not pursue careers, further education, or secure credible employment despite completing their studies.
Intervention by the Lawal Administration
The impasse was finally resolved after the current government, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, took decisive action to investigate and address the outstanding debt owed to Crescent University. Following a careful review of the matter, the administration negotiated and cleared the tuition arrears, prompting the university to release the certificates.
A formal presentation ceremony was held at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, where Governor Lawal personally handed over the long-awaited certificates to the beneficiaries. The event marked a significant moment of relief and achievement for the graduates and their families.
Commitment to Education and Human Capital
While presenting the certificates, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to prioritizing education as a vital component of the state’s development strategy. He emphasized that clearing the backlog was a demonstration of the government’s broader commitment to reforming the educational sector and investing in the future of Zamfara’s young citizens.
Officials described the move as part of the ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes and human capital development across the state—ensuring that systemic issues like unpaid fees do not continue to hinder graduates’ prospects.
Impact on Graduates and Broader Implications
The resolution of this nine-year certificate crisis carries deep significance for the affected individuals, many of whom have faced the frustration of being academically qualified but professionally stalled. Receiving their certificates unlocks opportunities for job applications, postgraduate studies, professional licensing, and meaningful contributions to both Zamfara’s economy and Nigeria’s workforce.
More broadly, the situation highlights the challenges tied to scholarship administration and fiscal accountability within educational sponsorship programs. Experts argue that timely payment and transparent management are essential to protect students from such debilitating delays in the future.
