Governor Zulum Approves N2.65bn For Foreign Scholarships

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 indigenes of the state studying in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt.

The governor also announced a 100 percent upward review of local scholarships for Borno State indigenes, directing the commissioner for education and the Borno State Scholarship Board to immediately implement the increase.

Governor Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday, during a homecoming ceremony for 294 beneficiaries of foreign scholarship programmes who recently completed their studies in universities across China, India, Egypt and Malaysia.

The governor said his administration has invested N12.64 billion in scholarships since 2023, comprising N8.61 billion for foreign scholarships, N3.84 billion for local scholarships and N196.31 million for administrative support.

He described the expenditure as one of the state’s major investments in education and human capital development, stressing that equipping young people with knowledge and skills remained one of the most reliable pathways out of poverty and conflict.

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He explained that N8,611,846,007.60 has been spent on foreign scholarships, while N3,835,880,614.32 went to local scholarship beneficiaries.

According to him, the newly approved N2.65 billion will also cover 54 beneficiaries under the state’s aviation scholarship programme, which is currently under review.

Governor Zulum reiterated that the scholarship scheme would remain merit-based, noting that beneficiaries had demonstrated impressive academic performances in their respective institutions abroad.

He further directed the scholarship board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri for local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.

The governor said requests for sponsorship from professionals in the humanities and arts were also receiving government attention, while reaffirming the state’s commitment to sponsoring indigenous law graduates through law schools across the country.

He urged returning graduates to regard their scholarships as public investments and repay the gesture through meaningful service and contributions to the development of their communities.

“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,” heS stated.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Investment, Lawan Wakilbe, said 294 indigenes of the state were currently benefiting from the state’s foreign scholarship programme.

He said the beneficiaries were studying medicine, engineering and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related courses in institutions across Asia and North Africa.

According to Wakilbe, more than N8 billion has been invested in the foreign scholarship programme since 2023, covering tuition, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends, airfares, travel documentation and other academic expenses.

He disclosed that 171 postgraduate scholars have been trained in two universities in India and five universities in Malaysia at a cost of N3.233 billion.

The postgraduate beneficiaries, he said, were expected to strengthen the academic manpower of tertiary institutions in Borno State upon completion of their studies.
Wakilbe added that 16 of the postgraduate scholars graduated with distinctions and other academic honours.

He also presented 104 undergraduate beneficiaries, comprising 53 medical students and 51 engineering students currently studying in six institutions in China.

The commissioner said the students were expected to contribute to the state’s healthcare and infrastructure sectors, particularly through manpower for the newly established Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital.

He said the beneficiaries have received their tuition fees and monthly stipends promptly and in advance since the commencement of the programme in 2023, with stipends ranging from $150 to $200.