Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno Stare has committed a staggering N12.9 billion to train 54 Borno indigenes in aeronautics and advanced engineering disciplines.
Observers are saying that this is one of the boldest state-backed investments in specialised aviation education in Nigeria.
The beneficiaries will undergo a five-year training programme at the Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), combining degree studies with professional certifications and basic pilot training.
At a ceremony held Thursday night at the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum presented an initial cheque of N2.5 billion to the institution to cover annual tuition and associated costs.
The full sponsorship package over five years is valued at N12.9 billion.
The governor said the initiative is part of a deliberate strategy to reposition Borno from a conflict-scarred state to a hub of innovation, technology and high-level manpower development.
“This is not just about sending students to school.
“It is about building capacity for the future, creating opportunities for our youth, and ensuring that Borno takes its rightful place in critical sectors such as aviation, engineering and technology,” Zulum declared.
Under the scheme, 10 students will specialise in Aerospace Engineering, 11 in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 11 in Mechatronics Engineering, 12 in Software Engineering, and 10 in Systems Engineering.
The programme also includes foundational pilot training designed to expose beneficiaries to the practical dynamics of aviation.
In a move aimed at promoting equity and inclusion, the governor disclosed that two candidates were selected from each of Borno’s 27 local government areas.
The selection process, officials said, was rigorous and merit-driven.
Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, revealed that more than 3,000 applications were received when the scholarship was announced.
The figure was pruned to 1,200 candidates who sat for a competitive written examination, from which the final 54 emerged.
Describing the initiative as transformational, Wakilbe said the programme underscores the administration’s commitment to human capital development and youth empowerment.
“This is a strategic intervention. It reflects the governor’s understanding that sustainable development must be driven by knowledge, skills and innovation,” he said.
Beyond tuition, each beneficiary will receive an immediate N500,000 support package to cover resumption logistics and other incidental expenses — a gesture aimed at ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder their academic take-off.
Founder of IBUAM, Isaac Balami, lauded the governor’s vision, assuring the state government that the students would receive world-class training that meets global standards.
He expressed confidence that the beneficiaries could form the nucleus of Nigeria’s future aviation workforce and potentially contribute to the production of a made-in-Nigeria aircraft.
The scholarship programme signals a significant shift in Borno’s development narrative — from recovery and reconstruction to strategic investment in high-end technical expertise.
For a state once defined by insecurity, the N12.9 billion aeronautics initiative represents a decisive bet on knowledge, resilience and a future powered by innovation. (vitalnewsngr.com)
