Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved stipends of N250,000 for fathers and N50,000 for mothers of 90 students in Gajiganna town.

He announced this on Friday during the inauguration of the Higher Islamic College, Gajiganna, also approving free daily meals for all enrolled students.

“We will approve N250,000 for each father and N50,000 for each mother. Every student will receive N50,000 to meet essential needs,” Mr Zulum stated.

The governor said the support and meals were designed to boost school enrolment in northern Borno, devastated by over a decade of insurgency.

“We must take deliberate steps to promote education in northern Borno. This is the only region yet to achieve adequate educational development,” Mr Zulum explained.

He noted that Gajiganna, with a population of 50,000, had only 90 secondary school students, describing the figure as alarming and demanding urgent attention.

“It is imperative that these 90 students complete their studies. Their success would represent significant progress for education in northern Borno,” the governor said.

He stressed that the state aimed to provide Sangaya learners with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s competitive world.

“Our institutions operate under a curriculum approved by NBAIS, blending Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology and English,” Mr Zulum said.

He added that reforms were balancing Sangaya’s traditional values with modern subjects and vocational training, safeguarding Islamic learning while fostering contemporary development.

The governor also declared that Government Day Secondary School, Gajiganna, would serve as a referral centre for pupils completing primary education in the town.

Mr Zulum further directed that daily meals be provided in higher Islamic colleges and schools with poor enrolment across the state.

Earlier, commissioner for education, Lawan Wakilbe, commended Mr Zulum for constructing 104 mega schools within six years, describing the achievement as remarkable and visionary.

He revealed that 35 additional mega schools were at various stages of construction, excluding those already advertised but yet to commence.

The event was attended by Senate chief whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan, and several federal and state lawmakers.

Also present were Speaker of the Borno House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, APC chairman Bello Ayuba, and senior government officials, including Bukar Tijani.

The college will blend Sangaya’s Almajiri system with formal education for holistic learning.

20 similar colleges had been established across local governments to provide Almajiri with literacy and vocational skills.

(NAN)