The certificates were presented on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, bringing closure to a prolonged ordeal that left the graduates unable to formally validate their academic qualifications.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the affected students graduated about nine years ago but were unable to collect their certificates because successive administrations failed to settle their tuition fees with the university.
As a result of the unpaid fees, Crescent University withheld the students’ results and certificates, effectively placing their academic and professional lives on hold for nearly a decade.
The statement explained that Governor Lawal’s administration reviewed the matter after assuming office and subsequently engaged the management of Crescent University, leading to the settlement of the outstanding tuition obligations and the release of the certificates.
Among the beneficiaries are a first-class graduate in chemistry and several others who earned second-class upper degrees.
While presenting the certificates, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to education, describing the resolution of the long-standing issue as part of broader efforts to address systemic neglect in the sector.
The governor’s spokesperson noted that the development reflects the impact of the state of emergency declared in the education sector, adding that the intervention underscores the government’s resolve to correct past injustices and restore confidence in public scholarship programmes.
For many of the beneficiaries, the presentation marked the end of years of uncertainty and the beginning of renewed opportunities in their academic and professional pursuits.
