By Ahmed Ahmed 

The Borno State Government has approved and released the sum of N1,649,048,000 to settle outstanding scholarship obligations, tuition fees, student welfare packages and international education commitments.

The Executive Secretary of the State Scholarships Board, Dr Bala Isa, announced the approval at a news conference on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

He said the intervention reflects Gov. Babagana Zulum’s unwavering commitment to education as a tool for rebuilding the state and empowering its youth.

According to him,   the funds will cover outstanding 2024/2025 scholarship awards for students in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and other tertiary institutions across Nigeria. 

“The package also includes tuition and accommodation fees for 272 medical students at Federal University of Health Sciences Azare, tuition payments for 34 MBBS students at Al-Ansar University, 

“Fees for 60 students studying at the Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology.

“Additional allocations will provide six months’ allowances for nursing students under the state scholarship programme.

Educational support for 300 orphans of counter-insurgency volunteers, and return airfare for postgraduate and undergraduate scholars studying in India, Malaysia and China,” he said 

Dr. Isa described the beneficiaries as future doctors, engineers, scientists and professionals whose expertise will contribute to the state’s long-term development.

He emphasised that the Scholarship Board has commenced administrative processes to ensure prompt disbursement of funds to institutions and beneficiaries.

The Executive Secretary commended Gov. Zulum for prioritising education despite prevailing challenges, 

He noted that sustained investments in scholarships and skills development remain central to the administration’s vision of building a prosperous, peaceful and educated State.