BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, FEBRUARY 23, 2026 | 10:10 AM

Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno on Sunday combined agricultural support with education expansion during a visit to Damasak in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State.

The governor distributed farm tools to local farmers and commissioned a new Higher Islamic College in the town.

He was accompanied by Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.

The intervention focused on supporting dry-season farming as displaced residents continue to return to Damasak.

Zulum said dry-season irrigation has been adopted as a core part of the state’s food security framework.

He said reliance on rain-fed agriculture is no longer sustainable due to climate change, insecurity, and population growth.

According to him, the government has implemented a dual-season farming strategy to enable year-round production.

He said the distribution of 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and 200 tubewell drilling kits builds on earlier irrigation and mechanization support in the area.

Gov. Zulum said the state is working with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit and relevant federal ministries to improve productivity and market access.

At the commissioning of the Higher Islamic College, Damasak, he said the project reflects the administration’s plan to modernize sangaya education.

He said all Higher Islamic Colleges operate under the curriculum approved by the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies, allowing students to obtain O-Level equivalent certification.

Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Commissioner for Education, said the project is part of a broader education recovery program across the state.

He said the government has constructed 104 mega schools and rehabilitated 1,087 classrooms.

He added that major works have been completed in 40 schools and 30 flood-affected schools have been restored.

Wakilbe said classroom projects have also been delivered through the State Universal Basic Education Board.

He said the number of out-of-school children has dropped from about 2.2 million to fewer than 800,000.

He said enrollment for the 2025 academic year stands at 1,418,279 learners, with more increases expected.