By: Gbenga Akingbule.
The city of Maiduguri was agog on Sunday following the visit of Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who spent several hours commissioning mega projects in the education sector and road infrastructure, on which the Borno State Government has invested ₦67 billion.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, almost ₦47 billion was invested in basic and secondary education during the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. Some of the projects were among those commissioned by the Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Sule.
In the same vain, Engr Sule also commissioned the Post Office 9-Span Flyover and the dualization of the 2.5-kilometre road,together with 5 kilometers of drainage,from Budum Tandari Junction to KasuwanShanu which were constructed at the total cost of ₦15.9 billion and ₦5 billion respectively
Governor Zulum made revelation while addressing the visiting Governor of Nassarawa State and other dignitaries at the last point of commissioning of mega projects in Maiduguri the state capital.
The Borno State Governor stated that his administration had placed a high priority on the education sector following years of destruction of educational facilities by the 17-year insurgency. He said the investment was also aimed at ensuring that students from the state could compete favourably with their peers around the world.
“Today, we have formally commissioned four important projects: theLarawaram Community Senior Secondary School; the Shehu SandaKyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School;the Post Office 9-SpanFlyover; and the dualization of the 2.5-kilometre road,together with 5kilometers of drainage,from Budum Tandari Junction to KasuwanShanu.
” These projects must be viewed within the broader context of the challenges our State has faced and the progress we have made in overcoming them. The insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while at its peak, an estimated 2.2 million children were outof school, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled.Many teachers and schooladministrators also lost their lives in thecourse of duty.
“For us, therefore,rebuilding schools goes beyond constructing physical structures. It is about restoring access to education,rebuildingconfidence in our communities and providing our children with theopportunity to secure a better future,
” Between the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years alone,this Administrationinvested Forty-Six Billion,Nine Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million,Three Kobo Only (N46,987,069,675.33)in basic, secondary and commissioned today form part of this broader investment,alongside 136
projects that have been completed, are awaiting commissioning,or arecurrently under construction.” Gov. Zulum said .
Ealier, Governor Sule of Nassarawa state had commended his counterpart for its commitment to improving infrastructure and delivering projects that directly impact the lives and wellbeing of the people of Borno State.
According to the visiting Nassarawa State Governor, “A speech was prepared for me; I wish there were no prepared speech. Because what I have seen in Borno today is worth me actually standing here and talking for two hours, commending my dear brother for the wonderful job you are doing in the area of education and infrastructure.
“The project we just commissioned some moments ago is a purposeful leadership and determination of the Borno State Government to provide infrastructure to meet the needs of the people.”
“I commend you, Your Excellency, for demonstrating that even in the face of enormous challenges, government must continue to invest in its people, particularly in the education of our children, and I commend you for this wonderful job that you are doing.” Enrg Sule said .
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation , Hon Lawan Abba Wakilbe in Borno State revealed that that the commitment of the state Governor to the education sector has increased enrollment in basic and secondary schools across the state
” In Basic and Secondary Education, enrolment across Borno State has increased from Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty-One (766,551) learners in 2019 to over 1.8 million learners in 2026, representing an increase of more than one million learners within the period.
” The expansion has also been accompanied by a significant increase in the number of public secondary schools. From just 34 functional public secondary schools in 2019, the State now has 129 functional public secondary schools in 2026, spread across 25 of the 27 Local Government Areas of the State.
” Similarly, the number of teachers and facilitators across the education streams has risen substantially, with a total of Nineteen Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixteen (19,316) trained and motivated personnel contributing to the delivery of education across the State. ” Hon Wakilbe revealed.
Wakilbe added that ” Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School is a 30-classroom Mega School established to provide senior secondary education to students from Abbaganaram, Ajinaram, Nmeri, Shehuri North and adjoining communities. The facility comprises four laboratories, an ICT Centre, an examination hall, recreational facilities, an administrative block with six offices, two staff common rooms, as well as fencing and landscaping. In line with the community-based approach to its management, the school is expected to be administered with active community participation, while Government will provide grants and the necessary institutional support.
” Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School, where this commissioning ceremony is taking place, has been completely reconstructed by the State Government. The school now comprises 45 classrooms, an ICT facility, recreational facilities, an administrative block with six offices, two staff common rooms, fencing and landscaping. The reconstruction has substantially increased the school’s capacity and provides improved facilities for pupils and students within the catchment communities”.
