Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved N83 million for the final phase of a five-year scholarship programme supporting 246 orphans of fallen Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, hunters and vigilantes.
Key Highlights
- Zulum approved N83 million for the final phase of the five-year scholarship programme.
- The programme currently supports 246 children of fallen security volunteers.
- N60 million will cover school fees and learning materials.
- N23 million will be disbursed to guardians of the beneficiaries.
- The Borno State Government has spent about N300 million on the programme over five years.
- Some beneficiaries have already graduated from tertiary institutions.
- Guardians have appealed for the scholarship to be extended beyond the current five-year cycle.
- The Scholarships Board said future support could be sustained or renewed under a subsequent administration.
The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarships Board, Dr Bala Isa, disclosed this on Monday, September 21, 2026, during a press conference at the board’s conference room in Maiduguri.
Isa said the scholarship programme commenced five years ago with 300 beneficiaries but currently supports 246 children at different levels of education, part of the Borno Heroes Support Programme launched by the state government to honour fallen security volunteers.
According to him, the N83 million approved for the final phase comprises N60 million for school fees and learning materials and N23 million to be disbursed to the beneficiaries’ guardians.
He explained that the state government had spent about N300 million on the programme over the five-year period, covering school fees, textbooks, uniforms, shoes, school bags and other educational expenses.
Scholarship Supports Children Through Different Education Levels
Isa said the scholarship had supported beneficiaries through various stages of their academic journey, including transitions from nursery to primary school, primary to secondary school and secondary to tertiary education.
He added that some beneficiaries had successfully graduated from tertiary institutions during the five-year period.
The Executive Secretary commended Governor Zulum for sustaining the initiative, describing it as an intervention aimed at ensuring that the children of fallen security volunteers were not abandoned.
He also acknowledged the contributions of the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakibe, and the pioneer chairman of the scholarship committee, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, to the administration of the programme.
Read also:
- Zulum approves increase in allowances for CJTF, vigilantes, volunteers
- Gov. Zulum donates N100m to families of fallen, wounded soldiers
Guardians Seek Extension Of Scholarship
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries’ guardians, Malam Abdulkadir Abubakar expressed appreciation to the Borno State Government for supporting the children of fallen security personnel.
Abubakar, however, appealed to the government to consider extending the scholarship programme, noting that the beneficiaries still require assistance to achieve their educational aspirations.
Similar appeals were made by Ambassador Baba Shehu Abdulganiyu and a representative of the CJTF, who thanked the government for supporting the families of their fallen colleagues.
Borno May Continue Support
Isa clarified that the completion of the current five-year cycle did not necessarily mean an end to government support for the beneficiaries.
He said the Scholarships Board would continue to explore opportunities, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, to sustain assistance to the children.
According to Isa, the programme could also be renewed under a future administration, stressing the importance of ensuring that the sacrifices of fallen CJTF members, hunters and vigilantes are not forgotten.
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