Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has disclosed that his administration has invested N15.29 billion in scholarship programmes for indigenes of the state since 2023, with more than N8.61 billion dedicated to overseas studies.
Governor Zulum made the disclosure on Wednesday at the homecoming ceremony for 294 Borno State beneficiaries of foreign scholarship schemes at universities in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia, where he congratulated graduates returning after completing their programmes overseas.
According to the governor, the total allocation of N12.64 billion covers foreign scholarships, local scholarships and administrative support for the programme.
Governor Zulum also announced the approval of N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 students pursuing studies in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt as submitted by the Ministry of Education.
He said N8. 61 billion was spent on foreign scholarships, while N3.83 billion went to local scholarship beneficiaries.
“It is in pursuit of this vision that, since 2023, this administration has invested a total of N12,644,034,368.96 in scholarships for the sons and daughters of Borno State.
Of this sum, N8,611,846,007.60 has gone into foreign scholarships, N3,835,880,614.32 into local scholarships, and N196,307,747.04 into administrative support for the scheme,” Zulum said.
The Governor described the expenditure as one of the state’s most significant investments in education, stressing that developing young people’s capacity remained the most reliable route out of poverty and conflict.
“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,” he stated.
The proposed funding, he said, would also cover 54 beneficiaries under the state’s aviation scholarship programme, which is currently under review.
He reiterated that the scholarship programme would remain merit-based, noting that beneficiaries had recorded impressive academic performances in their respective institutions abroad.
The Governor directed the Borno State Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri for local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.
He also announced that requests for sponsorship from professionals in the Humanities and Arts were receiving government’s attention, while reaffirming that the state had fully sponsored indigenous law graduates through law schools across Nigeria.
Zulum, while addressing the returning graduates, urged them to regard the scholarship as a public investment that must be repaid through service and meaningful contributions to their communities.
He pledged his administration’s continued commitment to human capital development, saying Borno would continue to build an environment that rewards excellence, promotes learning and prepares young people for leadership and development roles.
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced a 100 percent increase in local scholarships for indigenes of the state. He directed the Commissioner of Education and Scholarship Board to ensure immediate implementation.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Investment, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said the foreign scholarship covers 294 indigenous students studying medicine, engineering and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related courses in Asia and North Africa.
He said the investment, amounting to over N8 billion from 2023 to date, covered tuition fees, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends, airfares, travel documentation, and other academic-related expenses.
