Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has disclosed that his administration has invested N15.29 billion in scholarship programmes for indigenes of the state since 2023.
Zulum made the disclosure on Wednesday at a homecoming ceremony for 294 Borno indigenes who benefited from foreign scholarship programmes in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia.
The governor said N12.64 billion had so far been spent on scholarships, comprising N8.61 billion on foreign scholarships, N3.84 billion on local scholarships and N196.3 million on administrative support.
He also approved N2.65 billion to settle the state’s 2026 foreign scholarship obligations for 158 students studying in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt.
According to him, the expenditure represents one of the state’s major investments in education and human capital development.
“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,” Zulum said.
The governor also announced a 100 percent increase in local scholarships for Borno indigenes and directed the Commissioner for Education and the State Scholarship Board to implement the decision immediately.
He further directed the Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri for local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.
Zulum said the state would continue to support professionals in the Humanities and Arts while reaffirming the government’s commitment to sponsoring indigenous law graduates through law school.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Investment, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said 294 students were currently benefiting from foreign scholarships to study medicine, engineering and other STEM-related courses in Asia and North Africa.
He said the programme covered tuition, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends, airfare, travel documentation and other academic expenses.
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Wakilbe disclosed that 171 postgraduate scholars had completed their studies at universities in India and Malaysia, with N3.233 billion spent on their education. He added that 16 of them graduated with distinctions and other academic honours.
He said 104 undergraduate students, comprising 53 medical students and 51 engineering students, were also studying at six institutions in China and were expected to contribute to Borno’s healthcare and infrastructure sectors after graduation.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, Dr. Bala Isa, explained that the programme initially had 301 scholars. However, one died, two withdrew due to ill health, one transferred, and three others withdrew, leaving 294 beneficiaries.
Zulum urged the returning graduates to see the scholarships as a public investment and reciprocate the government’s support through meaningful service and contributions to the development of Borno State.
