Out-of-school children reduced by 70% – Gov. Zulum

BY: NEWS EDITOR, MARCH 02, 2026/ 04:47PM

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced that the number of out of school children in Borno State has dropped by over 70 per cent, from 2.2 million to less than 800,000.

He announced this development on Monday while welcoming Dr.Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director, for commissioning Maimusari Junior Secondary School, Mairi, executed by Gov. Zulum administration.

Other project commissioned are Cammand Day Secondary School, Maimusari Primary School alongside Western Flyover.

He also commissioned 7.44km of dual carriageway, 14.86km of drainage, and a third flyover. Total roads constructed stand at 412km.

Gov. Zulum said the reduction followed the construction of 104 new schools and rehabilitation of 2,931 classrooms, school enrolment now stands at over 1.4 million as of December 2025.

He also acknowledged World Bank support through MCRP and BESDA programmes, which have enabled school reconstruction, increased enrolment, and improved learning materials and teacher training.

He explained that since 2019, his administration has distributed over 20 million exercise books, 2 million textbooks, 1.5 million uniforms, and 700,000 school bags, about 50,000 pupils benefit from school feeding annually, while 10,000 bicycles were provided to rural students.

For out-of-school youth, five vocational institutes and nine training centres have been established, noting that 2,970 trainees will graduate tomorrow with starter packs.

In his remark, Dr. Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country director for Nigeria describe the season as a period of hope as education is part of Borno's heritage.

He learned that Borno has a history of scholarship, recalling that the ancient Kanem-Borno civilisation was a centre of learning and the new school continues that tradition.

Verghis reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to supporting education in Borno and urged students to work hard and dream ambitiously.

In his reaction, Engr Wakilbe noted that the programme facilitated the procurement of 5,800 desktop computers installed in 57 new schools and fifty thousand student enrolled across the state.