PRESS RELEASE

KADUNA STATE HAS EVACUATED ALL ITS SCHOLARSHIP BENEFICIARIES IN SUDAN AND HAS ALSO COMMENCED THE EVACUATION OF ALL KADUNA STATE STUDENTS

This is to inform the General Public that, the Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has directed the complete evacuation of all Kaduna State residents studying in Sudan. Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board’s Team, led by its Executive Secretary, Hassan Rilwan, has painstakingly, been working round the clock to ensure the safe return of the students as directed. The Board, has moved to emergency mode, meaning that, staff have been on ground daily at the office to respond to the students needs, parents enquiries, Embassy liaison and general coordination of the evacuation mission. The first bus carrying the 50 verified students of Kaduna State as at April 29, 2023 are currently close to the Sudanese-Egyptian Border to join other students awaiting clearance into Egypt.

Another bus is scheduled to leave today, April 30, 2023 once the students verification is complete. The State Government has given an express approval to airlift the students, once they gain entrance into Egypt. A team from Kaduna State are to receive the students on the Egyptian side, to facilitate their airlifting to Nigeria either through the Federal Government or the State Government’s flight arrangement, depending on which is ready first.

Parents should note that, no exclusive arrangement can be made for Kaduna students, because the Government of Egypt has not given clearance to allow the busses into Egypt. The Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries are working to sort out the issues. The Board, has sent an advance manifest to the Embassies of Nigeria in Sudan and Egypt with formal request for consular services at the Boarder.

Against this backdrop, We therefore, call on parents of affected students to continue to exercise patience at this trying time, as we continue to monitor and ensure the safe return of our students back to Kaduna State.