Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to widening learning opportunities for indigent students from Borno and for Nigerian refugees currently living in Cameroon. The Governor made this known during his visit to the University of Maroua in the Far North Region of Cameroon Republic as part of a two-day official tour focused on education and humanitarian support. During the visit, he also inspected a 500-seat lecture theatre under construction by the Borno State government.
Earlier, Governor Zulum visited Minawao camp as part of ongoing efforts to repatriate over 12,000 Nigerian refugees from Kirawa, Ngoshe, Ashigashiya and surrounding communities in Gwoza Local Government Area. Many of these individuals have lived in the camp for more than ten years due to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The lecture theatre, which is now nearing completion, is designed to serve both Nigerian nationals studying in Cameroon and refugee learners who fled violence during the peak of insurgency. Observers have described the project as a strong example of cross-border educational diplomacy and regional solidarity aimed at supporting young people displaced by conflict.
Governor Zulum, who has consistently placed education at the centre of Borno’s recovery plans, announced an expansion of scholarship opportunities for Borno indigenes and for refugees in Cameroon whose studies were disrupted. “No young person should be forced to abandon education simply because insurgency pushed them across international borders,” the Governor said. He explained that the government’s commitment goes beyond its territorial boundaries, especially when the welfare of its citizens is involved.
“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.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Maroua, Professor Idrissou Alloum, commended the Governor for what he described as an “unprecedented gesture,” noting that it strengthens educational access and deepens 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,” he said. He added that the new lecture theatre and scholarship plans reflect a forward-thinking approach to humanitarian governance that focuses on empowerment.
Students who engaged with the Governor said his presence in Cameroon, where he listened to their concerns and assessed their learning environment, showed his leadership qualities and his recognition that their aspirations remain important despite the difficult circumstances that forced many of them to study outside Nigeria.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North Region, Mijinyawa Bakari; Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Honourable Abdullahi Buba Abatcha, member representing Gwoza State Constituency. Also in the delegation were several Borno State commissioners, the Chairman of Gwoza local government, and Cameroonian officials.
