Borno Slashes 2.2m Out-of-School Children To 800,000

Despite a decade of insurgency, Borno State Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe has disclosed that the delivery of education infrastructure across the State has resulted in a reduction in the number of out-of-school children from 2.2 million to 800,000.

Wakilbe said the delivered education infrastructure across the state includes one hundred and four (104) Mega Schools, the rehabilitation and remodelling of one thousand and eighty-seven (1,087) classrooms, extensive works in forty (40) additional schools, the restoration of thirty (30) flood-affected schools, and several SUBEB-led classroom projects, which have yielded measurable results.

The Commissioner disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of 48 classrooms at the Mega Higher Islamic College by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum in Gubio, Gubio Local Government Area of the State.

Wakilbe said the 48 classroom Mega School being commissioned, now designated as the Higher Islamic College, Gubio, is designed to mainstream Sangaya learners, school dropouts, and overgrown children into formal education, adding that the curriculum to be administered was developed by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, integrating Islamic studies with Western education to provide learners with balanced and relevant knowledge.

He said apart from the commissioning of the Higher Islamic College, Gubio, the Governor would also commission three (3) blocks of nine (9) classrooms at Gubio II Junior Day Secondary School, noting that these projects were executed by the administration of Governor Zulum, through the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.

“The delivery of major education infrastructure across the state, including one hundred and four (104) Mega Schools, the rehabilitation and remodelling of one thousand and eighty-seven (1,087) classrooms, extensive works in forty (40) additional schools, the restoration of thirty (30) flood-affected schools, and several SUBEB-led classroom projects, has yielded measurable results. These efforts have reduced the number of out-of-school children in Borno State from two million two hundred thousand (2,200,000) to fewer than eight hundred thousand (800,000).

“This figure is expected to rise further, as close to twenty-one (21) schools are awaiting commissioning. None of these achievements would have been possible without the consistent support and leadership of our Professor Governor,” the Commissioner said.

In his remarks, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum noted that his visit to Gubio was primarily to commission the Higher Islamic College and other projects, as well as to interface with security agencies and volunteer forces on how to address security challenges in the local government area and combat criminal elements.

Zulum said the commissioning of the Higher Islamic College marks a significant milestone in his administration’s collective efforts to integrate, mainstream, and expand access to quality Sangaya education across Borno State.

He added that the commissioning of the Higher Islamic College in Gubio underscores the state’s firm commitment to building an inclusive education system that responds to the spiritual, intellectual, and socio-economic needs of the people.

“From the outset of this administration, we identified the Sangaya education system as a critical pillar for recovery and sustainable development, particularly in communities affected by years of insurgency. Our focus has been on revitalising the system by preserving its rich tradition of Islamic scholarship while introducing modern subjects and vocational skills.

“We recognise the historic role of Sangaya education in shaping moral values, discipline, and learning within our communities, while also equipping learners with essential skills in literacy, numeracy, science, technology, foundational English, and vocational training to enable them to function effectively and competitively in today’s society. This institution, therefore, stands as a symbol of renewal and progress, reflecting our resolve to restore dignity, purpose, and opportunity through education.

“In line with our commitment to reducing the number of out-of-school children, these initiatives have already recorded significant progress by bringing thousands of learners into a structured, supportive, and regulated education system,” the Governor said.