Chris Awhawha
Borno state Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has approved over seven hundred and thirty million naira (N730,000,000) for scholarships for Borno indigenes studying in different institutions of learning across the country.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, officially handed over the cheque on behalf of Governor Zulum to the Borno State Scholarship Board in a ceremony held at the conference hall of the Quality Assurance office of the ministry on Monday.
Engr. Wakilbe, in a statement by SSA on new Media to the Governor, Abdurrahman Bundi, explained that the scholarship, when fully implemented, is expected to benefit 26,888 indigenous undergraduates, and payment will commence with immediate effect.
The commissioner also disclosed that Zulum’s administration has spent over N8 billion this year (2024) alone on scholarships for students studying both within Nigeria and abroad.
He further provided a breakdown of the scholarship allocations and urged the students to work hard to justify the government’s significant investment in their education.
The commissioner also urged students to ensure their bank details were accurate to prevent transaction issues, warning that failed payments would be reallocated for other purposes.
He also encouraged the students to explore additional opportunities through NELFUND, challenging student leaders to make full use of the resources available to them.
The National President of the National Union of Borno State Students (NUBOSS), Abdullahi Ahmadu Umara, who led the students, on his part, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for his unwavering commitment to education.
On the sidelines, one of the students present at the occasion, Abba Ali Abba Gana, announced plans to honour the Governor with the title of “Student-Friendly Governor” and the Commissioner as the “Architect of Modern Education” in recognition of their dedication to advancing education in Borno State.