Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the release of ₦1,649,048,000 to settle outstanding scholarship obligations, tuition, student welfare and international education support, reinforcing his administration's commitment to human capital development in Borno State.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarships Board Dr Bala Isa announced the approval during a press briefing in Maiduguri, describing the intervention as a strategic investment in the future of the state rather than a routine financial commitment.
"This approval is more than a financial intervention. It is another bold declaration that the future of Borno State lies in the education of its young people," the Executive Secretary said.
According to him, the approved funds will cover the settlement of 2024/2025 scholarship awards for eligible students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria; tuition and accommodation fees for 272 Borno medical students at the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare; tuition fees for 34 MBBS students at Al-Ansar University, Maiduguri; school fees for 60 students of the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology, Zaria; six months' allowances for Nursing College students under the state scholarship programme; school fees for 300 orphans of Counter-Insurgency Volunteers; return airfare for 133 postgraduate STEM graduates and 39 PhD STEM scholars in India and Malaysia; as well as return airfare for 104 undergraduate scholars studying in China.
The Executive Secretary said the approval reflects Governor Zulum's sustained investment in education despite prevailing economic and security challenges, noting that thousands of Borno students have benefited from scholarships within Nigeria and abroad in critical fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, aviation, artificial intelligence, information technology and health sciences.
"Behind every scholarship is a young person whose dreams have been kept alive. Behind every tuition payment is a family relieved of financial burden. Behind every engineer, scientist and medical student is another foundation being laid for the economic transformation of Borno State," he stated.
He assured beneficiaries that the Scholarships Board has commenced the necessary administrative processes to ensure timely disbursement of the approved funds directly to institutions, beneficiaries and service providers in line with established government procedures.
The Executive Secretary commended Governor Zulum for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to educational advancement, while also appreciating the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, members of the State Executive Council, development partners, heads of beneficiary institutions and the staff of the Borno State Scholarships Board for their continued support in strengthening the state's education sector.
Addressing beneficiaries, he urged students to justify the confidence reposed in them by remaining focused on their studies and demonstrating exemplary character.
"Your Government believes in you. Your Government is investing in you. Your Government expects you to justify this confidence through academic excellence, discipline, patriotism and selfless service to humanity," he said.
He added that the knowledge and skills acquired by the beneficiaries would play a vital role in rebuilding communities, strengthening institutions and driving the socio-economic transformation of Borno State.
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