Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has donated N100 million to the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB), to advance research and infrastructure, reinforcing his commitment to educational development in Borno State.
Announcing the grant during a meeting with NAUB’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Lawan Bala Buratai, and principal officers at the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum praised efforts to establish a legislative framework for the university’s sustainability. “Previously, the Borno State Government supported the university, and now we are providing an additional N100 million. We will work closely with you to strengthen this partnership for the institution’s growth and development,” he stated.
Zulum also unveiled plans for scholarships for indigent students from Borno’s 27 local government areas to study at NAUB. “The Commissioner for Education has been directed to look into the possibility of sending children from all the 27 local government areas to the Nigerian Army University. We will look into carrying capacity and see how many we can sponsor,” he added.
The governor pledged support for establishing a College of Medical Sciences at NAUB to address the shortage of doctors and healthcare workers in Borno. He urged the state’s three federal universities—University of Maiduguri, NAUB, and Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship Bama—to align their programs with local needs. “The state government will collaborate with these institutions to prioritise demands based on a needs assessment, ensuring maximum benefit,” Zulum said.
Professor Buratai thanked Zulum for his support, particularly for ongoing staff accommodation projects, and appealed for more state-sponsored students in Engineering and technical fields. “We commend His Excellency for the ongoing construction of staff accommodation. We also appeal for more state-sponsored students in Engineering and technical fields to boost academic enrolment,” he said.
In a separate meeting with the Biu Forum leadership, Zulum reaffirmed his commitment to equitable project distribution across Borno. “We are investing heavily in security, education, infrastructure, and other sectors not to please anyone, but because posterity will judge our administration positively,” he stated.
Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, National Chairman of the Biu Forum, lauded Zulum’s administration for executing over 90 projects in Biu Emirate, including the Eye and Dental Hospital Biu, a new LGA Secretariat, road networks, mega schools, a vocational training centre, primary healthcare centres, and housing estates.