By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has renewed his call for greater private sector participation in the education sector, stressing that government alone cannot meet the growing demand for quality education in the state.
The governor made the appeal on Tuesday during the inauguration of Noble Scholars Nursery and Primary School, a privately established educational institution founded by an indigenous entrepreneur, Hajiya Yakaka Bukar Mandara, in Maiduguri.
Commissioning the school, Zulum described the project as a significant contribution to the state’s post-insurgency recovery efforts and a demonstration of how private investment can accelerate access to quality education.
He said partnerships between government, private investors and philanthropists had become indispensable to rebuilding and strengthening the education sector.
“In the 21st century, it is no longer sustainable for government alone to shoulder the responsibility of providing educational institutions without the active support and partnership of the private sector,” the governor said.
According to him, the location of the school in the outskirts of Maiduguri would further expand educational opportunities and contribute to the overall growth of the sector in Borno State.
Zulum commended the proprietress for investing in the future of the state’s children, describing the initiative as a worthy legacy that would positively impact generations to come.
“On behalf of the government and the good people of Borno State, I congratulate the proprietress for this remarkable achievement.
“By the grace of God, this institution will positively transform lives and contribute meaningfully to the development of our state,” he said before formally declaring the school open.
The governor expressed optimism that Noble Scholars Nursery and Primary School would provide a solid foundation for academic excellence while helping to nurture future leaders.
Earlier, the proprietress, Hajiya Yakaka Bukar Mandara, said the vision behind the school was to provide children with both Western and Islamic education in a conducive learning environment.
She noted that the establishment of the school was aimed at complementing the government’s investments in education by making quality and affordable learning accessible to more families.
Yakaka explained that Maiduguri deserved educational institutions comparable to those in other major cities, adding that the school was designed to bridge that gap while supporting the state’s expanding network of public schools.
She also expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for accepting the invitation to commission the institution and for his unwavering commitment to educational development in Borno State.
The governor was accompanied to the event by the member representing Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency, Hon. Bukar Talba, the Acting Chief of Staff, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Malumbe, commissioners, special advisers and other senior government officials.
