Governor Babagana Zulum has approved a N12.9 billion scholarship package to sponsor 54 indigenes of Borno State to study aeronautics and related engineering courses at the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management.
The scholarship programme, which spans five years, covers pilot training and specialised degrees in key engineering fields. According to a statement issued on Friday by the governor’s Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdulrahman Bundi, the beneficiaries will undergo intensive academic and professional training aimed at preparing them for careers in the aviation and technology sectors.
Breakdown of the beneficiaries shows that 10 students will study Aerospace Engineering, 11 Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 11 Mechatronics Engineering, 12 Software Engineering, and 10 Systems Engineering.
At a brief ceremony held at the Government House in Maiduguri on Thursday night, Governor Zulum presented a cheque of N2.5 billion to the institution to cover the first year’s tuition and related expenses. The total cost of the five-year programme is projected at N12.9 billion.
Addressing the students, the governor urged them to remain focused and committed to their academic pursuits. He stressed that beyond securing admission, their dedication and discipline would determine their success.
“What matters most is not just gaining admission, but how focused you will be in your studies. I advise you to remain dedicated and become good ambassadors of our state,” Zulum said.
He explained that the selection process was structured to ensure fairness and inclusiveness, with two students selected from each of Borno’s 27 local government areas.
In addition to tuition, the governor announced an immediate grant of N500,000 for each beneficiary to cover resumption logistics and other incidental expenses.
Providing insight into the selection process, the State Commissioner for Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, disclosed that more than 3,000 applications were received from across the state. The number was reduced to 1,200 candidates after initial screening, followed by a written examination that produced the final 54 successful students.
Wakilbe described the initiative as a reflection of the governor’s strong commitment to human capital development, youth empowerment and sustained investment in education.
Founder of the university, Isaac Balami, who is also an indigene of Borno State, commended the governor for what he described as a bold and visionary step. He assured the state government that the students would receive world-class training and expressed optimism that some of them would play key roles in building Nigeria’s first locally manufactured aircraft.