Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that his administration invested no less than N15.29 billion on scholarship programs for indigenes of the state since 2023, with N8.61 billion earmarked for overseas students’ studies.

Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday at the homecoming ceremony for the 294 Borno state beneficiaries of foreign scholarship schemes at universities in China, India, Egypt and Malaysia, where he congratulated graduates returning after completing their programs overseas.

According to him, the total allocation of N12.64 billion covers foreign scholarships, local scholarships and administrative support for the program.

The governor also announced the approval of N2.65 billion to settle the 2026 foreign scholarship obligations of 158 students pursuing studies in China, Malaysia, India and Egypt as submitted by the Ministry of Education.

He said N8. 61 billion was spent on foreign scholarships, while N3.83 billion went to local scholarship beneficiaries.

“It is in pursuit of this vision that, since 2023, this administration has invested a total of N12,644,034,368.96 in scholarships for the sons and daughters of Borno State. Of this sum, N8,611,846,007.60 has gone into foreign scholarships, N3,835,880,614.32 into local scholarships, and N196,307,747.04 into administrative support for the scheme,” he said.

He described the expenditure as one of the state’s most significant investments in education, stressing that developing young people’s capacity remained the most reliable route out of poverty and conflict.

“Our administration’s 25-Year Development Plan is anchored on building an equitable society in which every citizen, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to quality education and essential services,” he added..

The proposed funding, he said, would also cover 54 beneficiaries under the state’s aviation scholarship program, which is currently under review.

He reiterated that the scholarship program would remain merit-based, noting that beneficiaries had recorded impressive academic performances in their respective institutions abroad.

The governor further directed the Borno State Scholarship Board to open applications for 220 academic staff of the University of Maiduguri for local and foreign postgraduate scholarships.

He also announced that requests for sponsorship from professionals in the Humanities and Arts were receiving government attention, while reaffirming that the state had fully sponsored indigenous law graduates through law schools across Nigeria.

Zulum, while addressing the returning graduates, urged them to regard the scholarship as a public investment that must be repaid through service and meaningful contributions to their communities.

He also pledged his administration’s continued commitment to human capital development, saying Borno would continue to build an environment that rewards excellence, promotes learning and prepares young people for leadership and development roles.

Meanwhile,  Zulum has announced a 100 percent increase in local scholarships for indigenes of the state. He directed the Commissioner of Education and Scholarship Board to ensure immediate implementation.

Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Investment, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe said the foreign scholarship covers 294 indigenous students studying medicine, engineering and other science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related courses in Asia and North Africa.

He said the investment, amounting to over N8 billion from 2023 to date, covered tuition fees, accommodation, feeding, monthly stipends, airfares, travel documentation, and other academic-related expenses.

According to the Commissioner, 171 postgraduate scholars were trained in two universities in India and five universities in Malaysia, with the state spending N3.233 billion on their education. Noting that the beneficiaries are expected to take up academic roles in local tertiary institutions in the state.

Wakilbe added that 16 of the postgraduate scholars graduated with distinctions and other academic honors. He also presented 104 undergraduate students comprising 53 medical students and 51 engineering students currently studying in six institutions in China,

The students, he said, are expected to form part of the professional workforce for the state’s healthcare and infrastructure sectors, including the newly established state-of-the-art Kashim Ibrahim teaching hospital

The Commissioner further stated that beneficiaries had received their fees and monthly stipends, ranging from $150 to $200, promptly and in advance since 2023.

Executive Secretary of the Borno State Scholarship Board, Dr. Bala Isa, explained that the program began with 301 scholars. Regrettably, he said, one passed away, two withdrew due to ill health, one transferred, and three withdrew from the program, bringing the total number to 294.