By Abdullahi Alhassan
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced fresh measures to strengthen tertiary education in the state, including salary reviews, infrastructure upgrades, staff recruitment and funding for academic programme accreditation.
Zulum disclosed this on Wednesday when he received the Forum of Heads of Tertiary Institutions in Borno State at the Council Chambers of the Government House, Maiduguri.
The Governor said his administration would continue to prioritise education, describing sustained investment in the sector as essential to preparing young people for the future and developing Borno into a centre of intellectual and professional excellence.
Among the measures announced was a planned review of salaries for staff of Ramat Polytechnic and the state’s Colleges of Education. He also pledged funding for the accreditation of academic programmes and the recruitment of academic staff in line with the specific needs of individual institutions.
Zulum further promised the construction, expansion and rehabilitation of critical infrastructure across selected tertiary institutions in the state.
“Education is the bedrock for any meaningful development, and therefore investment in education will never be in vain,” the Governor said.
He explained that the meeting was also convened to address salary arrears, promotions and other entitlements owed to staff of tertiary institutions.
“I want to pay, but I want you to review it very well and get back to me within the next one to two weeks,” he told the heads of the institutions.
The Governor identified Abba Ashigar College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, and the College of Legal and Islamic Studies as institutions requiring particular attention.
He said his administration was determined to reposition both institutions and restore them to their expected roles in society.
Zulum directed the Provost of the College of Business and Management Studies, Konduga, to reintroduce courses including Office Technology and Auditing to strengthen the capacity of middle-level manpower serving Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as local government councils across the state.
The Governor also announced plans to rehabilitate staff quarters at Ramat Polytechnic and remodel the students’ hostel at the College of Nursing, Maiduguri, to increase its accommodation capacity.
Heads of Institutions Seek More Support
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Vice Chancellor of Kashim Ibrahim University, Prof. Babagana Gutti, commended the Governor for what he described as significant progress in the education sector.
Gutti particularly acknowledged developments at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as the establishment of additional federal and state tertiary institutions.
He, however, called for increased funding to enable the institutions effectively discharge their responsibilities.
The Vice Chancellor also appealed for improved staff salaries, additional recruitment of academic and non-academic personnel, construction and rehabilitation of staff quarters, and the provision of buses to reduce the transportation burden on students.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Acting Head of Service, Acting Chief of Staff, commissioners, special advisers, heads of government agencies, permanent secretaries and other senior government officials.
