Borno State governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has said that his government has drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children in the state.
From over 2.2 million, he said the number is now fewer than 700,000, representing a 70% reduction.
Governor Zulum made this claim during the inauguration of Government Secondary School Mairi, a World Bank project.
The governor explained that over the past five years, the administration has undertaken significant investments in education, noting that it has constructed 104 schools, restored 2,931 classrooms and distributed millions of instructional materials to both basic and secondary schools across the state.
“We have built 104 schools, rehabilitated 2,931 classrooms and distributed free educational materials, including 20 million exercise books, 2 million textbooks, 15 million sets of school uniforms, 700,000 school bags, and millions of other learning tools,” he said.
The governor also highlighted the success of the school feeding programme which he said has benefited 50,000 pupils annually.
He equally announced a news initiative, for providing 10,000 bicycles to ease mobility challenges for rural students across the state.
He added that in addressing out-of-school youths that have surpassed conventional school age, the administration has prioritized Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
“We have established five Vocational Enterprise Institutes, two Second-Chance Women/Girls Skills Entrepreneurship Schools and reactivated nine existing Vocational Training Centers. Our aim is to train approximately 5,000 artisans annually, empowering them with skills for self-reliance and addressing unemployment challenges,” Zulum said.
While expressing gratitude to the World Bank, he said the bank has been instrumental in supporting the state’s developmental efforts.
Some of the projects sponsored by the bank he listed as the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP), the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA), the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), and Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
“These initiatives have significantly advanced the developmental strides of our state and we are deeply appreciative of the World Bank’s partnership and support,” he added.
According to release by Governor Zulum’s spokesperman, Dauda Iliya on Monday, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiame Diop, was present at the inauguration.
In his remarks, Diopcommended Borno State’s commitment to rebuilding its education sector, noting that the Bank has supported the construction of 41 secondary schools and the rehabilitation of 392 schools across the state.
“This school is a symbol of resilience, a beacon of hope, and a testament to rebuilding better in the wake of adversity. We are impressed by the state’s efforts and remain committed to supporting Governor Zulum’s vision,” he said.
Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, highlighted the transformation of Mairi Secondary School, which he noted had operated from a temporary site for nearly three decades until Governor Zulum’s intervention.
He further noted that through the AGILE project, the state aims to enroll 50,000 adolescent girls over the next four years.
In addition to Government Secondary School Mairi, Governor Zulum and Dr. Diop also commissioned other schools across the state.
Some of the schools includes, Government Girls Junior Day Secondary School Molai and Government Day Secondary School Gala-Mairi, in Muna, a community under Jere Local Government Area of Borno.
