Borno State governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed concern over the low enrollment of students for Western education in some parts of the state, particularly in Gajiganna town, where only 90 students were enrolled out of a population of 50,000.
To address the issue, Governor Zulum approved stipends N300,000 for the parents of the 90 students with their fathers getting N250,000 each, while their mothers get N50,000 each.
According to the governor, the directive was to spike the enrollment in the northern part of the state, which had suffered devastation from over a decade of insurgency.
Governor Zulum, who expressed the concern on Friday when he inaugurated a Higher Islamic College in Gajiganna, in the northern part of the state, also ordered for the provision of free meals in the Higher Islamic College and schools with low enrollment.
The governor emphasised the need for deliberate measures to promote education in northern Borno, which has been devastated by over a decade of insurgency.
He also highlighted the state’s goal to provide Sangaya learners with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s world, noting that the curriculum for these institutions blends Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology, and Foundational English.
Zulum said: “We must establish deliberate measures to promote education in northern Borno. This is the only region in Borno State that has not been developed in terms of education. So, both the secondary and primary education board chairmen are here. I want you to put more emphasis on northern Borno. You can see a situation whereby in this town with a total population of about 50,000 people, only 90 students were enrolled in a secondary school.
“We must support the parents of these 90 students from towns like Gajiganna. It is imperative to ensure that these 90 students complete their studies, it would represent significant progress. We will approve stipends of N250,000 for their fathers and N50,000 for each of their mothers. For the students themselves, we are setting aside N50,000 each, which will provide them with financial support for their essential needs.”
Zulum stressed that about 20 similar colleges had been built in different local government areas to provide Almajirai with basic literacy and vocational skills.
The governor said: “our goal is clear: to provide our children, especially Sangaya learners, with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world.
“In pursuit of this, the institutions we are establishing operate under a curriculum approved by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) which harmoniously blends Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology and Foundational English.
“At the same time, we have remained unwavering in our commitment to revitalising the Sangaya education system—an enduring pillar of Islamic learning that has shaped our society for generations.
“Our reforms have been deliberate and balanced: safeguarding the cherished values of traditional Islamic scholarship while introducing modern subjects and vocational training.”
Governor Zulum also commissioned the Government Day Secondary School, Gajiganna, which will serve as a referral centre for hundreds of pupils completing their primary education in Gajiganna town.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, commended Governor Zulum for delivering over 104 mega schools in six years.
“Your Excellency, to proudly highlight that under your stewardship, 104 Mega Schools have already been completed and delivered across the state, with an additional 35 at different stages of construction, excluding those already advertised and awaiting commencement,” Wakilbe said.
The commissioner added: “This is a remarkable achievement that reflects not only infrastructure but vision, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to generations yet unborn.”
The event was attended by the Senate Chief whip and the senator representing Borno North, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, members of the House of Representatives, Usman Zannah, Abdulkadir Rahis and Engr Bukar Talba.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan; APC chairman, Bello Ayuba; the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustahpa Mallumbe, among other senior government officials.
