INCENTIVES FOR SCHOOL ENROLLMENT: Zulum orders free meal, N300,000 payment to Borno students, parents
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved a comprehensive package of incentives, including free daily meals and financial stipends for students and their parents, to significantly boost school enrollment in the northern part of the state, particularly in Gajiganna town.
He said his initiative was to address the low educational development in the region, which has been severely impacted by over a decade of insurgency.
The financial support includes N250,000 for fathers and N50,000 for mothers of the 90 enrolled students in Gajiganna, with each student also receiving N50,000 to cover essential needs.
This direct financial aid is intended to alleviate economic burdens on families and encourage them to send their children to school. The free daily meals will be provided to students in Higher Islamic Colleges and other schools experiencing low enrollment across the state.
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Zulum stressed the need for deliberate measures to strengthen education in northern Borno.
“This is the only region in Borno State that has not been developed in terms of education. So, both the secondary and primary education board chairmen are here. I want you to put more emphasis on northern Borno,” he added.
The governor also directed that one free square meal be provided daily to the college students, and approved comprehensive scholarships for nine girls who performed enrollment songs at the event.
“Our goal is clear: to provide our children, especially Sangaya learners, with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world. In pursuit of this, the institutions we are establishing operate under a curriculum approved by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), which blends Islamic scholarship with Science, Mathematics, Technology, and foundational English.
This educational reform also involves the establishment of hybrid Islamic colleges, such as the newly inaugurated Higher Islamic College in Gajiganna. These institutions blend the traditional Almajiri (Sangaya) education system with formal academic subjects, including Science, Mathematics, Technology, and English, under a curriculum approved by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS).
Governor Zulum emphasized that this approach balances traditional Islamic scholarship with modern subjects and vocational training to equip students with skills for today’s competitive world. Approximately 20 similar colleges have been established across various local government areas to provide Almajirai with literacy and vocational skills.
The Governor also commissioned the Government Day Secondary School in Gajiganna, which will serve as a referral center for primary school graduates in the area. Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, highlighted the state’s progress, noting that 104 mega schools have been completed in six years, with an additional 35 under construction. This comprehensive strategy underscores Borno State’s commitment to educational development as a means of recovery and progress in the insurgency-affected northern region.
The initiative in Borno State mirrors efforts in other regions to address educational disparities and food insecurity through school-based programs. For instance, in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a historic initiative to provide free breakfast and lunch to all 2.7 million students across the state, aiming to save families an estimated $165 per child monthly and improve student outcomes.
This universal school meals program is designed to reduce food insecurity, encourage healthy habits, and enhance academic performance by ensuring students are well-nourished and can focus on their studies. Such programs, whether in Borno or New York, recognize the fundamental link between nutrition, financial stability for families, and educational success.
