Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, North East Nigeria, has rolled out a series of incentives, including cash support for parents and students as well as the provision of free meals, to encourage school enrollment and retention across the state.
The governor made the announcement at Gajiganna town in Magumeri Local Government Area during the inauguration of a newly constructed Higher Islamic School and a Government Day Secondary School.
The Higher Islamic School, a 48-classroom facility, is one of 20 such schools established across Borno state.
The initiative seeks to integrate non-formal education into the mainstream system by teaching literacy, numeracy, and digital knowledge, thereby enabling graduates to pursue higher education.
Similarly, the Government Day Secondary School in Gajiganna is among 104 mega schools completed under Zulum’s administration, with an additional 34 currently under construction across the state.
At the commissioning, Zulum announced a financial support package for 90 newly enrolled students of the Gajiganna school. Each student received ₦50,000, while their mothers and fathers were given ₦50,000 and ₦250,000 respectively.
The governor explained that the gesture was aimed at easing the financial burden of schooling and motivating parents to enroll their children.
In addition, Zulum directed that students of higher Islamic schools across Borno would henceforth be provided with one free square meal daily as part of measures to boost attendance.
The governor also awarded scholarships up to university level to nine female pupils of Alakaramti School who composed and presented a song highlighting the value of education.
Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, described the new schools as “living monuments” to the resilience and collective conviction of Borno people that education remains the key to peace and development.
Chairman of the Arabic and Tsangaya Education Board, Khalifa Ahmed Abulfathi—represented by the Executive Secretary, Abdulkadir Abdulkarim Harun—commended the governor’s commitment to advancing both Islamic and Western education, describing it as a model worthy of emulation.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, representing Northern Borno, and Hon. Usman Zannah, member representing Magumeri, Gubio, and Kaga Federal Constituency.
Both lawmakers lauded Zulum’s efforts and pledged support to drive school enrollment in their constituencies.
Governor Zulum urged stakeholders to take ownership of the new facilities and ensure their maintenance, emphasizing that collective responsibility was vital in sustaining the progress made in the state’s education sector.
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