Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has approved a N1.3 billion scholarship fund for 997 nursing and midwifery students.
This move aligns with the governor’s efforts to boost medical education and professional staffing in the healthcare sector of the state.
The scholarship initiative, drawn from a pool of approximately 1,080 candidates nominated by each of the 27 local government areas of the state, underwent a rigorous selection process through an entrance examination.
Out of these, 997 candidates successfully passed and were declared eligible for the scholarship.
The allocated budget for the scholarship stands at N1,305,189,000, with N124,149,000 designated specifically for tuition fees.
Furthermore, Governor Zulum has allocated a N201 million bursary allowance to benefit 2,010 students at the Maiduguri College of Nursing, who were not covered under the scholarship.
Each of these students is set to receive a one-time bursary of N100,000 to support their studies.
In a related development, the governor inaugurated a new lecture theatre complex and a 3,000-seat multipurpose hall at the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Maiduguri.
These facilities are expected to improve the learning environment and capacity of the institution.
Governor Zulum also promised automatic employment for all 997 scholarship beneficiaries and other outstanding nursing students upon the successful completion of their studies. This policy is aimed at retaining top talents within the state’s healthcare system.