The President of the Zamfara State Students Association of the Federal University Gusau (ZAMSSA), Haliru Ibrahim, has sounded an alarm, revealing that a staggering 2,565 students have been compelled to abandon their pursuit of higher education due to a recent hike in tuition fees.
The dire situation was disclosed during an impromptu press conference held on the university campus in the state capital.
Ibrahim, in his emotional address to journalists, passionately implored Governor Dauda Lawal and other key stakeholders to swiftly devise solutions that could rescue indigenous students from the bleak educational future they now face.
The sharp tuition fee increase, it appears, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the aspirations of thousands of young minds in Zamfara State.
Ibrahim did not stop at pointing fingers solely at the tuition fees hike.
He underscored the multifaceted challenges faced by the student community, citing the removal of fuel subsidies and the prevailing economic hardships as pivotal factors contributing to the distressing rise in student dropouts.
It is a grim reality that resonates particularly deeply at the Federal University Gusau.
In a bid to empower the affected students, Comrade Haliru Ibrahim encouraged them to explore part-time employment opportunities to supplement their educational expenses.
He emphasised the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, stating that “education remains a vital gateway to a brighter future, even amidst these daunting circumstances.”
As the higher education landscape in Zamfara State faces this alarming crisis, the hopes and dreams of thousands hang in the balance.
The call for swift government intervention to alleviate the financial burden on students has never been more urgent, and the fate of 2,565 promising scholars now rests in the hands of policymakers.
