Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved ₦2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 indigenes studying in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt, bringing the state government’s total scholarship investment since 2023 to ₦15.29 billion.
Key Highlights:
- Zulum approved ₦2.65 billion for 158 Borno students studying abroad.
- Borno State has invested ₦15.29 billion in scholarship programmes since 2023.
- Foreign scholarship expenditure accounts for more than ₦8.6 billion of the investment.
- The governor approved a 100 per cent increase in local scholarship funding.
- Applications will open for 220 University of Maiduguri academic staff seeking postgraduate scholarships.
- The state is also reviewing funding for 54 aviation scholarship beneficiaries.
Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday at a homecoming ceremony organised for 294 scholarship beneficiaries who recently completed their studies in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia.
The governor said his administration had invested a total of ₦15.29 billion in scholarship programmes for Borno indigenes since 2023, with ₦8.61 billion committed to foreign scholarships.
According to him, ₦12.64 billion of the expenditure covered foreign scholarships, local scholarships and administrative support. He said ₦8.611 billion was spent on foreign scholarships, ₦3.835 billion on local scholarships and ₦196.3 million on administrative expenses.
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He added that the newly approved ₦2.65 billion would cater for the 2026 obligations of the 158 students currently studying abroad.
Zulum said the scholarship programme was anchored on the state’s 25-Year Development Plan, which he described as a strategic framework for building an equitable society and creating opportunities capable of lifting people out of poverty and conflict.
He also disclosed that funding would cover 54 aviation scholarship beneficiaries whose cases are currently under review.
The Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, said the scholarship package covered tuition, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends of between $150 and $200, airfares and documentation.
He said the stipends had been paid promptly since 2023, adding that 171 postgraduate beneficiaries were trained in India and Malaysia at a cost of ₦3.233 billion.
According to Wakilbe, 16 of the postgraduate beneficiaries graduated with distinctions and are expected to contribute their expertise to teaching and academic development in the state’s tertiary institutions.
He added that 104 undergraduate beneficiaries included 53 medical students and 51 engineering students studying in six Chinese institutions.
The beneficiaries, he said, were being trained to contribute to healthcare delivery and infrastructure development in Borno State.
The governor also announced a 100 per cent upward review of local scholarships, directing that the increase should take immediate effect.
He further directed the Borno State Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri seeking postgraduate scholarships.
Zulum said sponsorship for students in Humanities, Arts and Law would also receive increased attention as part of efforts to ensure a balanced scholarship programme across disciplines.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, Dr. Bala Isa, said the foreign scholarship programme initially had 301 beneficiaries.
He explained that one beneficiary died, two withdrew due to ill health, one transferred to another programme, while three others withdrew, leaving 294 beneficiaries who successfully completed their studies.
The governor said the investment in education was part of his administration’s broader commitment to developing human capital and creating sustainable opportunities for the people of Borno State.
