By : Gbenga Akingbule .
The Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, on Wednesday applauded Governor Babagana Zulum for investing ₦15.29 billion in foreign and local scholarship programmes for indigenes of the state since 2023, describing the initiative as a significant investment in the future of Borno youths.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wakilbe said he felt fulfilled by the governor’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, noting that the scholarship initiative had provided deserving students, expecially those from humble background with opportunities to pursue their studies locally and abroad without the financial burden associated with higher education.
This was disclosed during a homecoming ceremony for 294 foreign scholarship beneficiaries studying at universities in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri.
The ceremony also featured an unexpected announcement by Governor Zulum, who approved additional scholarship awards for beneficiaries who had completed their master’s programmes and secured admission to pursue PhD degrees.
In the same vein, Governor Zulum announced a 100 percent upward review of the local scholarship scheme, doubling the financial support provided to Borno students studying in tertiary institutions across the country. The governor said the decision was aimed at easing the financial burden on students and their families while ensuring that no deserving Borno indigene is denied access to education because of financial constraints.
Governor Zulum also announced the approval of N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 students pursuing studies in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt as submitted by the Ministry of Education
According to the Governor , “It is in pursuit of this vision that, since 2023, this administration has invested a total of N12,644,034,368.96 in scholarships for the sons and daughters of Borno State. Of this sum, N8,611,846,007.60 has gone into foreign scholarships, N3,835,880,614.32 into local scholarships, and N196,307,747.04 into administrative support for the scheme,” Zulum said.
The Governor described the expenditure as one of the state’s most significant investments in education, stressing that developing young people’s capacity remained the most reliable route out of poverty and conflict.
“Our administration’s 25-Year Development Plan is anchored on building an equitable society in which every citizen, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education and essential services,” he stated.
Prof Zulum stated that the scholarship program would remain merit-based, noting that beneficiaries had recorded impressive academic performances in their respective institutions abroad.
The Governor further directed the Borno State Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri for local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.
He also announced that requests for sponsorship from professionals in the Humanities and Arts were receiving government attention, while reaffirming that the state had fully sponsored indigenous law graduates through law schools across Nigeria.
Zulum, while addressing the returning graduates, urged them to regard the scholarship as a public investment that must be repaid through service and meaningful contributions to their communities.
He pledged his administration’s continued commitment to human capital development, saying Borno would continue to build an environment that rewards excellence, promotes learning and prepares young people for leadership and development roles.
Engr. Wakilbe had revealed that the scholarship beneficiaries have a five-year bond agreement with the state government, under which they are expected to return to Borno State upon completion of their studies and contribute their knowledge and expertise to the development of the state.
” The Governor has, over the past seven years, laid a solid foundation for the transformation of Borno State through the construction of numerous landmark projects, including the world-class teaching hospital along Kano road. We expect these young professionals in the making to return home, bring back the knowledge and expertise they have acquired, and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth and development of our dear state.” Engr. Wakilbe said .
