In a significant move to support education, the Borno State Government has launched a major scholarship initiative worth hundreds of millions of naira. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has given his approval for the disbursement of 706.5 million naira to fund the education of several vulnerable student groups, including children of security volunteers who died in combat.
Scholarship Details and Immediate Disbursement
The announcement was made public by Dr. Bala Isa, the Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, during a media briefing held in Maiduguri. Dr. Isa stated that Governor Zulum directed the board to begin the disbursement process immediately, ensuring swift support for the beneficiaries.
The scholarship package is comprehensive and targets multiple categories of learners. A key focus is on 300 orphans whose parents were members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and lost their lives while supporting military operations against Boko Haram insurgents. This gesture is a direct recognition of the sacrifices made by their parents in the fight to restore peace and stability in Borno State.
Wide-Ranging Beneficiary Groups
The financial intervention extends far beyond the CJTF orphans. The scholarship board outlined the other groups set to benefit from this expansive programme:
- 206 students enrolled at the Federal University of Health Sciences in Azare, under a special state-funded scheme.
- 34 students from Al Ansar University in Maiduguri.
- Nigerian students repatriated from Sudan following the conflict there, who are working to continue their education.
- 104 nursing students at the College of Nursing Sciences, Maiduguri, who are preparing for their professional examinations.
- 523 nursing students who will receive a five-month upkeep allowance to support their studies.
- 304 postgraduate students studying Science, Technology, English, and Mathematics (STEM) courses in universities across Nigeria, who are to receive the second installment of their funding.
Education as a Pillar for Rebuilding Borno
Dr. Bala Isa emphasized that this substantial investment underscores the central role education plays in the wider reconstruction and resettlement efforts ongoing in Borno State. He framed the governor's approval as a clear commitment to leaving no student behind.
"This financial intervention by His Excellency underscores the central role education plays in the ongoing reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts across Borno state," Dr. Isa stated. "It is a clear message that no students will be left behind, and every young person willing to pursue education will be supported."
The Executive Secretary also gave assurances regarding the transparency and accountability of the disbursement process. He pledged that the scholarship board is determined to ensure every approved kobo reaches the intended beneficiaries promptly and without delay. Dr. Isa expressed profound gratitude to Governor Zulum for his consistent guidance and support, describing the governor's leadership as a powerful source of motivation for the youth of the state.
This scholarship award, approved on December 3, 2025, represents a concrete step towards healing and rebuilding by investing in the human capital of Borno State, particularly those most affected by the years of conflict.
