Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment invest more in education, saying it remains central to securing a better future for the younger generation and positioning Borno as a hub for intellectuals and skilled professionals.

The Governor made the pledges on Wednesday, while hosting a Forum of Heads of Tertiary Institutions (FHTI) at the Council Chambers of the Government House, Maiduguri.

Zulum also promised to review the salaries of staff at Ramat Polytechnic and the state’s Colleges of Education, provide funding for the accreditation of academic programmes, recruit academic staff based on institutional demand, and construct, expand, and rehabilitate physical infrastructure of some institutions alongside other forms of institutional support.

“Education is the bedrock for any meaningful development, and therefore investment in education will never be in vain,” he said.

“I invited the heads of tertiary institutions to discuss one fundamental issue: the payment of salary arrears and the implementation of promotions and benefits for staff of tertiary institutions in the state. I want to pay, but I want you to review it very well and get back to me within the next one to two weeks,” he added.

The Governor added that his priority is to transform two institutions, Abba Ashigar College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, and the College of Legal and Islamic Studies to restore them to their rightful place in society.

He, therefore directed the Provost of the College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, which was established to provide skilled middle-level manpower for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) across the state, to reintroduce courses such as Office Technology and Auditing to enhance the capacity of local government staff.

Zulum further pledged to rehabilitate the staff quarters at Ramat Polytechnic and remodel the students’ hostel at the College of Nursing, Maiduguri, to accommodate more students.

Speaking on behalf of the Forum, the Vice Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Professor Babagana Gutti, commended the Governor for the unprecedented progress recorded in the education sector, particularly at the primary and secondary levels, as well as the establishment of new federal and state tertiary institutions.

He, however, appealed for additional funding to run the institutions, a review of staff salaries, recruitment of more academic and non-academic staff, construction of staff quarters at institutions that lack them, rehabilitation of existing staff quarters, and the provision of buses to ease students’ transportation costs.