Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a donation of N100 million to the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB), in support of research and infrastructural development at the institution.
Zulum made the pledge while receiving the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Lawan Buratai, alongside principal officers of NAUB, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The governor commended ongoing efforts to establish a legislative framework for the university, describing it as vital for its long-term 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,” Zulum said.
He also announced that the state government would award scholarships to indigent students from all 27 local government areas of Borno 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,” the governor added.
In addition, Zulum pledged his administration’s support for the establishment of a College of Medical Sciences at the university to boost the number of doctors and frontline health workers in the state.
He stressed the need for Borno’s three federal universities the University of Maiduguri, NAUB, and the Federal University of Agriculture and Entrepreneurship, Bama to align their academic programmes with the state’s developmental needs.
“The state government will collaborate with these institutions to prioritise demands based on a needs assessment, ensuring maximum benefit,” he said.
Responding, NAUB Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawan Buratai, thanked the governor for his continued support and appealed for more state-sponsored students in engineering and technical courses.
“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,” Buratai stated.
Meanwhile, Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equitable project distribution across Borno when he received the leadership of the Biu Forum at the Government House.
He reiterated his focus on security, education, infrastructure, and social development. “We are investing heavily in these areas not to please anyone, but because posterity will judge our administration positively,” the governor said.
The National Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, acknowledged Zulum’s achievements, noting that his administration had executed over 90 projects in the Biu Emirate alone.
These include the Eye and Dental Hospital Biu, a new LGA Secretariat, road networks, mega schools, a vocational training centre, primary healthcare centres, and housing estates, among others.
