Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has introduced a new package of free daily meals and ₦300,000 incentives for pupils and their parents in northern Borno to fight low school enrolment caused by years of insurgency.
Zulum announced the measures on Friday during a visit to Gajiganna town, where he also opened the Higher Islamic College, a school designed to merge the traditional Almajiri system (Sangaya) with formal education.
“We must establish deliberate measures to promote education in northern Borno. In this town with a total population of about 50,000 people, only 90 students were enrolled in a secondary school. It is imperative to ensure that these students complete their studies,” the governor said.
He explained that each student would receive ₦50,000, while their mothers would also get ₦50,000, and their fathers ₦250,000. In addition, the pupils would be served one free square meal daily.
According to Zulum, the aim is to push parents to send their children to school and close the education gap in communities badly hit by Boko Haram attacks.
He added that the new Higher Islamic College would operate under the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) curriculum, which combines Islamic learning with science, mathematics, technology, and basic English.
“Our goal is clear: to provide our children, especially Sangaya learners, with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in today’s world. Our reforms safeguard the cherished values of traditional Islamic scholarship while introducing modern subjects and vocational training,” Zulum said.
As part of his activities in Gajiganna, the governor also commissioned a new Government Day Secondary School to serve as a referral centre for pupils completing primary education in the area.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, praised the move, pointing out that the state has delivered 104 mega schools in six years, with 35 more projects in progress.
“This is a remarkable achievement that reflects not only infrastructure but vision, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to generations yet unborn,” Wakilbe said.
The event was attended by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, Senator Kaka Lawan, House of Representatives members, the Speaker of the State Assembly Abdulkarim Lawan, APC Chairman Bello Ayuba, SSG Alhaji Tijani, and other top officials.
