The Borno State Government has taken another significant step in strengthening its education sector, as Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved a fresh scholarship allocation worth N706.5 million to support students studying within Nigeria and abroad.
The announcement, made in Maiduguri on Monday by Dr. Bala Isa, Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, underscores the administration’s continued investment in human capital development and its commitment to ensuring that every willing and qualified student has access to learning opportunities.
According to Isa, the newly approved funding covers multiple categories of beneficiaries and is designed to take immediate effect. He emphasized that Governor Zulum’s initiative reflects the state’s long-standing objective of rebuilding and empowering its youthful population after years of insurgency-related setbacks.
Support for Orphans, Special Scholarship Beneficiaries, and Repatriated Students
The scholarship package has been structured to accommodate students across diverse programs and backgrounds. A major portion of the approval will support 300 orphans of fallen members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF)—a group whose contributions have been instrumental in assisting state and federal security agencies in combating Boko Haram terrorism.
Additionally, the funds will cover:
-
206 students of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, under the Borno State Special Scholarship Scheme.
-
34 students of Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri.
-
Repatriated Borno students from Sudan, who returned to Nigeria following the crisis in that country and require financial support to regain academic stability.
Isa noted that these interventions are not merely financial commitments but are symbolic of the government’s recognition of the sacrifices of security volunteers, as well as its determination to ensure continuous learning for youths affected by regional or international instability.
Expanded Coverage for Nursing and Postgraduate STEM Students
A substantial part of the scholarship allocation has also been dedicated to improving health-related education and meeting the state’s future workforce needs.
According to the Executive Secretary:
-
104 nursing students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri preparing for their professional examinations will receive scholarship support.
-
523 nursing students will receive a five-month upkeep allowance.
-
304 postgraduate students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs in various Nigerian universities will benefit from the second tranche of their scholarship payments.
Isa explained that these targeted investments are aligned with Borno State’s broader strategy to rebuild its healthcare system and strengthen technical capacity across critical sectors. With the state continuing major reconstruction efforts after years of insurgency, equipping young professionals with relevant skills remains a priority.
Education as a Pillar of Reconstruction
Speaking further on the significance of the scholarship program, Isa said the intervention is a cornerstone in the state’s ongoing reconstruction, rehabilitation, and resettlement agenda.
“This financial intervention by His Excellency underscores the central role education plays in stabilizing and rebuilding Borno,” he stated. “It sends a clear message that no student will be left behind and that every young person committed to learning will be supported.”
He reassured that the Scholarship Board is committed to transparency, accountability, and prompt disbursement, ensuring that every approved beneficiary receives their allocation without delay.
Context: Borno’s Multi-Billion Naira Scholarship Investments
The latest approval builds on the state’s substantial education spending in recent years. In 2024, the government disbursed more than N9.7 billion in scholarships for both local and international students, reflecting Governor Zulum’s far-reaching education and workforce development strategy.
The 2024 interventions included:
-
N4.29 billion for over 30,000 undergraduates in Nigerian universities studying Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Law, and Sciences.
-
N382 million for 335 postgraduate STEM students in local institutions.
-
N2.32 billion for 132 undergraduates in Medicine and Engineering programs in China and Egypt.
-
N2.69 billion for 287 postgraduate STEM students in India and Malaysia.
Current international beneficiaries span multiple countries, including India, Malaysia, China, and Egypt. Notably, these include:
-
10 medical students at Jinzhou Medical University,
-
30 at Anhui Medical University, and
-
50 engineering students across various Chinese universities.
Locally, beneficiaries include nearly 1,000 nursing students in Maiduguri, 94 students at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and 392 students at the Federal Polytechnic, Monguno.
