Gajiganna: 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 during the inauguration of the Higher Islamic College, Gajiganna, also approving free daily meals for all enrolled students.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Zulum stated, “We will approve N250,000 for each father and N50,000 for each mother. Every student will receive N50,000 to meet essential needs.” The governor explained that the support and meals were designed to boost school enrolment in northern Borno, an area affected by more than a decade of insurgency.
Zulum emphasized the need for deliberate steps to promote education in northern Borno, which is the only region yet to achieve adequate educational development. He noted that Gajiganna, with a population of 50,000, had only 90 secondary school students, a figure he described as alarming and in urgent need of attention. “It is imperative these 90 students complete their studies. Their success would represent significant progress for education in northern Borno,” he asserted.
The governor highlighted the state’s aim to provide Sangaya learners with essential knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s competitive world. He explained that the institutions operate under a curriculum approved by NBAIS, which blends Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology, and English. Zulum added that the reforms were balancing Sangaya’s traditional values with modern subjects and vocational training, safeguarding Islamic learning while fostering contemporary development.
Additionally, Zulum declared that Government Day Secondary School, Gajiganna, would serve as a referral centre for pupils completing primary education in the town. He further directed that daily meals be provided in higher Islamic colleges and schools with poor enrolment across the state.
Earlier, Commissioner for Education, Mr. Lawan Wakilbe, commended 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 Alh. Bukar Tijani.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the college will blend Sangaya’s Almajiri system with formal education for holistic learning. It also reports that 20 similar colleges had been established across local governments to provide Almajiri with literacy and vocational skills.