Zulum Approves N730 Million Scholarship for 26,888 Borno Students
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has approved N730 million for scholarships benefiting 26,888 students of Borno origin studying across Nigeria. The Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, announced the approval during a ceremony, urging students to ensure accurate bank details to avoid payment issues.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved the sum of N730 million as scholarship payments for 26,888 students of Borno State origin studying across various institutions in Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Monday during an official ceremony at the conference hall of the Quality Assurance office of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation in Maiduguri. Representing Governor Zulum, the Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, handed over the cheque to the Borno State Scholarship Board to initiate the payment process immediately.
Engr. Wakilbe highlighted that the scholarship initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on students and their families, enabling them to focus on their academic pursuits. He further disclosed that Governor Zulum's administration has invested over N8 billion in scholarships within the year 2024 alone, covering students studying both within and outside the country.
He provided a detailed breakdown of the allocations, urging beneficiaries to ensure their bank details are accurate to prevent transaction failures. The commissioner emphasized that any failed payments would be reallocated for other pressing needs. He also encouraged students to maximize additional resources, such as the NELFUND, and called on student leaders to promote these opportunities among their peers.
The National President of the National Union of Borno State Students (NUBOSS), Abdullahi Ahmadu Umara, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for his consistent support for education. “This initiative demonstrates the governor’s unwavering commitment to the development of Borno’s youth,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Abba Ali Abba Gana, a student beneficiary, announced plans to confer the title of "Student-Friendly Governor" on Zulum and honor Engr. Wakilbe as the "Architect of Modern Education" to recognize their efforts in advancing educational opportunities for the state’s indigenes.
The scholarship approval reinforces Governor Zulum's dedication to human capital development as a critical component of Borno State's recovery and growth strategy.
