The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuella Isopi, disclosed this at the unveiling of the ‘Study in Europe Fair’ in Nigeria held in Kano on Thursday.
She noted that this year alone, a total of 135 Nigerians were awarded scholarships by the EU under the Erasmus programme, pointing out that the students have already started their master’s programme in Europe.
The EU Ambassador said for more than 10 years now, Erasmus has been open to students from all over the world, and since 2014, a total of 800 brilliant Nigerian students have been awarded scholarships under the Erasmus programme.
She explained that fair is not only about connecting people through education opportunities for young Nigerians who study in Europe, but also through cooperation opportunities between universities and higher education institutions in Europe and Nigeria.
“Education in Europe will help students develop the skills they need to be successful in life, but it will also help your country develop its human capital, which is fundamental for its development.
“This initiative today is not an encouragement to Java, but an opportunity to develop and use the skills you will develop in Europe to the benefit of your society and the benefit of your country,” she said.
In his remarks, the State Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsslam Gwarzo, said no fewer than one million out-of-school children are currently roaming the streets of Kano, pointing out that the state government is doing everything possible to get them back to school.
He expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the EU in addressing the multifaceted challenges bedevilling the education sector in the state.
He specifically called on the EU to support the Kano State Government to address the problem of sponsoring students to study in Europe.
According to him, the state government is constructing 75 new junior secondary schools in addition to 55 senior secondary schools across the state as part of an effort to address the problem of out-of-school children.
Students from various secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Kano attended the commencement of the Study in Europe Fair in Nigeria.
