Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has announced a major boost to the state’s scholarship programme, approving N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 Borno indigenes studying in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt.
The funding will also cover 54 beneficiaries under the state’s aviation scholarship programme, which is currently undergoing review.
Speaking at an event for returning scholars, Zulum urged beneficiaries to view the scholarship programme as more than government assistance, describing it as an investment in human capital that comes with a responsibility to give back to their communities.
The governor said the beneficiaries were expected to use their education and professional skills to contribute meaningfully to the development of Borno State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality education and professional training, saying the scholarship initiative aligns with the state’s 25-Year Development Plan.
Zulum also announced a 100 per cent increase in local scholarships for Borno indigenes and directed the Commissioner for Education and the State Scholarship Board to begin implementing the new arrangement immediately.
In another move, he directed the Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri seeking local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.
The governor added that sponsorship requests from professionals in the Humanities and Arts were also being considered. He further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting Borno indigenes studying at the Nigerian Law School.
Zulum said his administration had invested significantly in scholarship programmes since 2023, with N12.64 billion already spent on foreign and local scholarships as well as administrative support.
According to him, N8.61 billion was spent on foreign scholarships, N3.84 billion on local scholarships and N196.3 million on administrative expenses.
The governor, however, disclosed that the total investment committed to scholarship programmes since 2023 stood at N15.29 billion.
Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Investment, Lawan Wakilbe, said the foreign scholarship programme had supported 294 Borno indigenes studying Medicine, Engineering and other STEM-related disciplines across Asia and North Africa.
He explained that the government’s support covered tuition, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends, airfare, travel documentation and other academic expenses.
Wakilbe also disclosed that 171 postgraduate scholars had been trained at two universities in India and five universities in Malaysia at a cost of N3.233 billion.
He said the scholars were expected to return to Borno and contribute to the development of tertiary education, particularly by taking up academic positions in the state.
Zulum maintained that the scholarship programme would remain merit-based, noting that several beneficiaries had distinguished themselves academically while studying abroad.
