The Katsina State Ministry of Information and Culture has denied reports claiming the state government spent N24 billion on foreign scholarships for 41 medical students studying in Egypt.
In an official statement, the ministry clarified that the actual amount spent was ₦2.4 billion.
Dr. Bala Salisu Zango, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, described the report as false and misleading. He explained that the allocated funds were part of a five-year program designed to cover the students’ tuition, accommodation, books, upkeep allowances, residence permits, and airfare.
The initiative, launched under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, aims to address the shortage of medical professionals in the state and strengthen the healthcare system. Dr. Zango further emphasized that the students were selected through a thorough process, ensuring representation from all 34 local government areas of the state.
The ministry also called on the platform responsible for the report to retract the claim immediately, warning that legal action would be pursued if the correction was not made. The statement stressed the importance of responsible reporting, noting that misinformation undermines public trust and hinders constructive discourse.
“This initiative, under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, is a critical step toward addressing the shortage of medical professionals in the state and strengthening the healthcare system,” Dr. Zango stated.
The ministry demanded that the platform should retract the report immediately, warning that legal measures will be pursued if the correction is not issued. “Misinformation damages public trust and disrupts meaningful discourse. Responsible reporting is essential,” the ministry added in its statement.
