SOKAPU Youth Wing Urges Kaduna Govt to Introduce Scholarship Scheme as High Fees Threaten Access at Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia

SOKAPU Youth Wing Urges Kaduna Govt to Introduce Scholarship Scheme as High Fees Threaten Access at Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia

The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) Youth Wing has called on Governor Uba Sani to urgently introduce a comprehensive scholarship scheme for indigenes seeking admission into the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia (FUASK), citing high tuition fees that could deny many access to tertiary education.

In a statement signed by the National Youth Wing Coordinator, Comrade Solomon Simon, the group lamented that the institution’s tuition and associated fees, which range between ₦160,000 and ₦250,000 per session—excluding acceptance and accommodation charges—are far beyond the reach of the average Kaduna family.

The statement stressed that FUASK’s specialized programs are vital for developing critical human capital in applied sciences and technology. Denying qualified and motivated youths the opportunity to study due to financial constraints, it noted, would amount to a setback for the state and the nation.

“Education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment and poverty alleviation. We urge Governor Uba Sani to act decisively to ensure that no qualified indigene of Kaduna State is denied the opportunity to study at FUASK simply because their family is poor,” the statement read.

The youth group recalled the fee hikes under the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, which saw tuition in state-owned institutions like Kaduna State University (KASU) rise from below ₦30,000 to over ₦150,000 for indigenes—an increase that had a devastating impact on many families.

While commending Governor Uba Sani for his efforts to review and reduce fees in state-owned institutions, fulfilling a key campaign promise, SOKAPU urged further action to support students enrolling in specialized federal institutions.

The group recommended that the state government:

Establish a Targeted Scholarship Scheme: Create a dedicated scholarship or bursary program for Kaduna indigenes admitted into FUASK to cover a significant portion of tuition fees.

Review Financial Aid Structure: Strengthen and expand the Kaduna State Scholarship and Loans Board’s programs to better reflect current economic realities and rising education costs.

Beyond educational concerns, the SOKAPU Youth Wing also addressed the growing political tension in Southern Kaduna, urging political actors to prioritize regional unity over partisan divisions.

The group reaffirmed that SOKAPU remains apolitical under the leadership of Comrade Samuel Tabara, noting that its primary mission is the development and welfare of Southern Kaduna people, regardless of political affiliation.

“SOKAPU will never compromise its core values or the defense of our people’s collective interest. We urge politicians to sheathe their swords and put the region’s progress above personal or party considerations,” the statement added.

The group further cautioned against inflammatory exchanges over alleged defections and political alignments, emphasizing that unity and collective development should remain the focus.

“Political parties are merely vehicles for accessing power; what matters most is how that power is used to better the lives of our people,” SOKAPU maintained.