Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding learning opportunities for indigent students from Borno and Nigerian refugees in Cameroon.
The Governor stated this during a visit to the University of Maroua in Far North Region of Cameroon Republic as part of his two-day official tour. The Governor also inspected a 500-seat lecture theatre currently under construction by the Borno State government.
Zulum earlier visited Minawao camp as part of government’s efforts to repatriate Over 12, 000 Nigerian refugees from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya and surrounding communities in Gwoza Local Government Area that have been living in the camp for more than a decade.
The new facility, now nearing completion, is intended to serve both Nigerian nationals studying in Cameroon and refugee learners who fled Boko Haram violence at the height of insurgency. The project has been described by many observers as a notable example of cross-border educational diplomacy and regional solidarity.
Governor Zulum, who has consistently championed education as a central pillar of Borno’s post-conflict recovery, announced plans to scale up new scholarship opportunities for Borno indigenes and for refugees in Cameroon whose studies have been disrupted by conflict.
“No young person should be forced to abandon education simply because insurgency pushed them across international borders,” Governor Zulum stated. He stressed that the state government’s commitment extends beyond its territorial boundaries, especially where the welfare and future of its citizens are concerned.
“I want to assure that we will look into the possibility of increasing the number of Borno students enrolled at the University of Maroua, because of the institution’s proven record of accommodating learners affected by Boko Haram conflict,” he added.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor University of Maroua, Professor Idrissou Alloum, commended Governor Zulum for what he termed an “unprecedented gesture,” which he said strengthens educational access and enhances the historical ties between communities along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the management of this university, we want to express our gratitude for the continued support to this institution,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“The construction of the lecture theatre and the introduction of new scholarship schemes demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to humanitarian governance, one that prioritises empowerment over dependency,” he added.
The students described the Governor’s physical presence in Cameroon, engaging them, inspecting facilities, and listening to their concerns, as a demonstration of his sterling leadership qualities, and recognition that their aspirations still matter, despite the circumstances that forced many of them to seek education outside Nigeria.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Mijinyawa Bakari; Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and the member representing Gwoza State Constituency, Honourable Abdullahi Buba Abatcha.
Also in the delegation were the Borno State Commissioners for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Local Government and Emirate Affairs; Information and Internal Security; and Works and Housing, alongside the Chairman of Gwoza local government and other Cameroonian officials.
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