Yobe Sustains Free Education As 40,000 Students Enjoy Government Scholarships Worldwide

The Yobe State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to free and accessible education, as about 40,000 indigenes of the state currently enjoy government scholarships to study in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions within Nigeria and across the globe.

Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed this while honouring the TeenEagle World Championship competition girls during the commissioning of the permanent site of the BioRTC in Damaturu.

The governor disclosed that the state’s sustained investment in education has continued to attract national recognition, with the Federal Ministry of Education designating Yobe State as a role model in foundational education and an example worthy of emulation by other states.

He revealed that in the last few years, the Yobe State Government sponsored over 400 students to universities in India to study various professional courses, particularly in the health and science fields. Buni noted that some of the graduates have already been employed and deployed to health facilities across the state, contributing to the improvement of healthcare service delivery.

The governor expressed pride in the academic achievements recorded by state-owned tertiary institutions, stating that from 2019 to date, Yobe State University has produced 106 First Class graduates across multiple disciplines.

He further emphasized that under his administration, no child in Yobe State would be denied access to education on account of economic background, stressing that basic and secondary education remains totally free, while tertiary education is highly subsidized with the lowest possible registration fees to ensure affordability.

Buni also highlighted the abundance of talents among Yobe youths, particularly in digital technology, software development, smart systems, drone technology, automated irrigation, solar power fabrication and other emerging innovations.

He listed locally fabricated products by young innovators in the state to include mobile phones, battery-powered water pumps, solar hot plates, rechargeable battery-powered generators, wireless charging systems and smart office assistant robots, describing the innovations as evidence of the state’s huge human capital potential.

In appreciation of outstanding performance by three young girls, Nafisa, Rukayya and Hadiza, at the TeenEagle World Championship competition, the governor announced government scholarships for the trio up to tertiary level, as well as a donation of N10 million each.

“Our goal is to ensure that every child has access to quality education and every talented young person is given the opportunity to reach their full potential,” the governor said.