From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr Lawan Wakilbe has disclosed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum spent about N9.7 billion in scholarship to indigenes of the state.
Wakilbe, who disclosed this during a briefing after the first 2025 State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Zulum at the Government House, said the scholarships were granted to indigenous students undergoing various studies at tertiary institutions within and outside the country in 2024.
According to him, a total of 30,616 undergraduate s across universities, colleges, polytechnics and other institutions, studying Law, Science, Medicine, Nursing and Engineering received N4,289,243,200 in scholarships.
Additionally, 335 local postgraduate students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, courses were awarded a total of N382 million.
He added that in support of international education, N2,325,467,300 was disbursed to 132 undergraduates studying nedicine and engineering at universities in China and Egypt.
Furthermore, 287 postgraduate students enrolled in STEM courses in India and Malaysia received N2,691,467,300.
A total of 31,369 students benefited from the scholarship programme in 2024, with Governor Zulum already approving sponsorship for over 30 new students who will pursue aviation courses in 2025. Additional scholarship and sponsorship programmes will also be launched for the upcoming year.
Highlighting some of the institutions hosting the beneficiaries, Engr Wakilbe reported that 997 students are currently enrolled at the College of Nursing, Maiduguri, with 94 others at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, UMTH.
In addition, 32 medical students are attending Al-Ansar University in Maiduguri, while 392 students are studying at the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
With regards to foreign scholarship, “about 150 students are studying in India, with 19 pursuing Medicine, 29 in Malaysia, 65 at Sharda University and 85 at Integral University in India. In China, 10 students are enrolled in the MBBS programme at Jinzhou Medical University, 30 at Anhui Medical University and 50 students are studying Engineering at Naijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Liaoning University of Technology, and Hefei University of Technology”, Wakilbe stressed.
The commissioner emphasised that these scholarships and their accompanying bonds will help meet the workforce needs in the state, particularly as it recovers from the challenges posed by insurgency.
The initiative aligns with the 10-year transformation agenda and the 25-year development plan set forth by Governor Zulum, ensuring a brighter future for Borno State and its citizens.
The commissioner said apart from this gesture, mega schools and blocks of classrooms were constructed and equipped, with the recruitment of qualified teachers across many local government areas in the three senatorial districts, as well as reduction in the number of out-of-school children.
He commended Governor Zulum and all stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of Borno State Scholarship Board, Mallam Bala Isa, for creating an enabling opportunity for students and parents to heave a sigh of relief while pursuing their educational goals.
