Zulum Invests ₦30bn in Vocational Education; Borno Graduates 2,970 Artisans with ₦300m Cash Support

On 3rd March 2026, the Borno State Government, through its Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative, graduated 2,970 artisans comprising women and youths trained in various technical and vocational trades.

The ceremony, which also featured the presentation of start-up kits to enable beneficiaries commence their businesses immediately, marked a significant milestone in the state’s recovery efforts.

The Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, welcomed guests and highlighted the inclusivity of the programme, noting that beneficiaries were drawn from all the vocational institutes and centers across Local Government Areas of the state. He congratulated the graduates on completing rigorous training under the Vocational Skills Acquisition Programme and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening vocational education to promote self-reliance and economic independence.

The Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, Professor Idris Bugaje, served as the Special Guest of Honour. He commended Borno State for prioritising skills development, describing the initiative as a model for other states and emphasizing the critical role of technical education in driving economic growth and reducing dependence on imported skilled labour.

In his remarks, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum stated that the initiative is a key component of his administration’s recovery and rebuilding agenda aimed at restoring livelihoods and strengthening community resilience. He disclosed that the state has constructed five Vocational Enterprise Institutes in Maiduguri, Mafa, Magumeri, Shani, and Dikwa, reactivated several vocational training centres, and established two Second Chance Schools in Maiduguri and Bama.

According to the Governor, over ₦30 billion has been invested in establishing and revitalising the institutions, while more than ₦2 billion was spent on equipping the centres in collaboration with development partners, notably the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He further announced an additional ₦100,000 cash support for each graduate, amounting to about ₦300 million to be disbursed by Borno State Social Investment Programme BO-SIMP, to complement the starter packs provided.

Governor Zulum also revealed that the institutes have been fully certified by the National Board for Technical Education and announced plans to launch a TVET Basket Fund to ensure sustainability. He urged the graduates to make productive use of the tools provided, encouraging them to build businesses, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to the economic growth of the state.

The event underscored Borno State’s growing reputation as an emerging hub for technical excellence and its commitment to rebuilding communities through strategic investment in vocational education.