Zulum invests N15.29bn in Borno scholarships, approves support for overseas students

Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Wednesday, stated 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 stated this at the homecoming ceremony for 294 Borno state beneficiaries of foreign scholarship schemes at universities in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia.

 He congratulated graduates returning after completing their programs overseas and said the total allocation of N12.64 billion covers foreign scholarships, local scholarships and administrative support for the program.

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.

He described the expenditure as one of the state’s most significant investments in education, adding 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.