Borno state governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 indigenes of the state studying in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt.
Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday at a homecoming ceremony organised for 294 scholarship beneficiaries who recently completed their studies in the four countries.
The governor said his administration had invested N15.29 billion in scholarship programmes for Borno indigenes since 2023, with N8.61 billion spent on foreign scholarships.
He explained that N12.64 billion of the expenditure covered foreign scholarships, local scholarships and administrative support, comprising N8.611 billion for foreign scholarships, N3.835 billion for local scholarships and N196.3 million for administrative expenses.
Zulum said the newly approved N2.65 billion would cover the 2026 scholarship obligations of the 158 students currently studying abroad.
He 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 citizens out of poverty and conflict.
The governor 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.
Wakilbe said the stipends had been paid promptly since 2023, adding that 171 postgraduate beneficiaries were trained in India and Malaysia at a cost of N3.233 billion.
According to him, 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, comprising 53 medical students and 51 engineering students, were studying in six Chinese institutions.
The commissioner said the beneficiaries were being trained to contribute to healthcare delivery and infrastructure development in Borno state.
Zulum 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.
The governor said sponsorship for students in Humanities, Arts and Law would also receive increased attention to ensure a more 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.
Zulum said the investment in education was part of his administration’s broader commitment to human capital development and the creation of sustainable opportunities for the people of Borno state.