The Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, has made a significant move towards investing in the future of healthcare in his state by approving a substantial scholarship fund of N1.3 billion.
This scholarship is specifically designated for 997 nursing and midwifery students who are indigenous to Borno.
The selection process for the scholarship was rigorous, with 1,080 nominations received, representing 40 from each of the 27 local government areas in the state.
Following a thorough entrance examination, 997 students emerged successful and qualified to benefit from this educational support.
Governor Zulum officially launched this scholarship programme at the College of Nursing and Midwifery in Maiduguri, underscoring the critical role these students will play in addressing the healthcare needs of the state, particularly in light of its growing population.
The allocated fund of N1.3 billion includes N124,149,000 earmarked for tuition fees, ensuring that financial barriers to education are minimized for the beneficiaries.
Additionally, the remaining N1,181,040,000 will be disbursed as a monthly stipend of N30,000 to each student throughout their academic pursuit.
Beyond the scholarship programme, Governor Zulum’s administration is actively investing in infrastructure for nursing education.
Plans are underway for the construction of two colleges of nursing, strategically located in the northern and southern parts of the state.
These institutions are expected to be operational this year, further enhancing access to quality nursing education in Borno.
In a parallel initiative, Governor Zulum demonstrated his commitment to supporting students who had not benefited from the scholarship by awarding N201 million in bursary allowances to 2,010 students of the Maiduguri College of Nursing. Each student received a bursary allowance of N100,000, providing much-needed financial relief.
Moreover, the governor’s investment in education extends beyond financial support. He commissioned a state-of-the-art lecture theatre complex and a multipurpose hall with a capacity of 3,000 people at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiduguri, enhancing the learning environment for students.
The impact of Governor Zulum’s intervention has garnered recognition from the Nursing Council of Nigeria (NCN), which praised his dedication to improving nursing practice in Borno State.
The NCN highlighted the unprecedented nature of the scholarship programme, describing it as the largest of its kind in Nigeria.
Dr. Farouk Umar Abubakar, the Registrar of the Council, commended the outstanding performance of nursing students from Borno, noting their consistently high scores in national examinations.
This recognition underscores the significance of Governor Zulum’s investment in healthcare education and its potential to transform the healthcare landscape in Borno State.
