Zulum’s Education Drive Bears Fruit as 615 Teachers Graduate from Special NCE Programme

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

In a significant boost to ongoing reforms in Borno’s education sector, the final batch of 615 teachers has successfully completed a two-year special Nigeria Certificate of Education (NCE) program, underscoring Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s sustained commitment to rebuilding and professionalising the state’s teaching workforce.

The graduation ceremony, held at the College of Education, Waka-Biu, over the weekend, marked a decisive step in the state government’s coordinated plan to phase out unqualified teachers and raise standards across public schools.

Originally, 647 teachers, drawn from all 27 local government areas of the state, were enrolled in the program. Out of that number, 615 completed the intensive training, which focused on practical classroom skills, pedagogy, literacy, and numeracy. The initiative was designed to equip participants with modern teaching techniques and strengthen their capacity to deliver quality education.

The special NCE program was coordinated by the Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) following a comprehensive statewide assessment that identified teachers in need of professional upgrades. The intervention forms part of broader reforms aimed at restoring confidence in the public education system after years of disruption.

Beyond training, the Zulum administration has also placed emphasis on teacher welfare. Among the measures introduced is the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for all primary school teachers, a move widely considered an incentive to boost morale and attract qualified personnel into the profession.

Speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner for Education, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe praised the resilience and dedication of the graduates. He announced that all successful trainees would be migrated to the approved minimum wage structure and placed on their appropriate grade levels in recognition of their new qualifications.

The Provost of the College of Education, Waka-Biu, Dr Gambo Saljaba, described the occasion as a milestone for the state’s education sector. According to him, the program’s completion represents a bold stride toward strengthening teacher quality across Borno.

He highlighted not only the academic achievements recorded but also the human stories that unfolded during the two-year journey — including three marriages, the birth of twins to one participant, and the unfortunate loss of three trainees. He commended Governor Zulum, the Commissioner for Education, and the Emir of Biu for their unwavering support.

Also addressing the graduates, the Permanent Secretary of the Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Hyelni Mshelia, urged them to apply their newly acquired knowledge diligently in their respective schools. She encouraged them to uphold professionalism and remain committed to improving learning outcomes for pupils across the state.

The ceremony featured cultural displays and the formal presentation of certificates, symbolising a renewed chapter in Borno’s drive to ensure that every classroom is led by a qualified and competent teacher.

With the graduation of this final batch, the state’s ambitious teacher reform agenda appears firmly on course, signalling hope for a stronger and more resilient education system.

Action Health Incorporated (AHI) tackles challenges of access to healthcare services in Borno

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Action Health Incorporated (AHI), with support from the Nigeria Humantrain Fund (NHF), has addressed the difficulties in getting healthcare services by offering fair and comprehensive access to quality sexual reproductive health (SRH), nutrition, and support for gender-based violence (GBV) in the Damboa Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State.

The achieved target and challenges faced during the implementation of healthcare delivery were identified over the weekend at a closeout meeting of the Strength Project in Maiduguri.

Speaking on the inaccessible healthcare services, the AHI Coordinator, Dr Musa Williams, said: “There is limited access to secondary healthcare facilities in Damboa LGA, where residents could not have direct access to specialised medical service care, particularly among the vulnerable populations affected by insurgency.”

Williams added that the lack of blood banks also poses a significant risk to patients that require transfusions or other blood-related treatment.

Besides the lack of blood banks, the coordinator added that infrastructure deficits play a role in people with disabilities not having access to health facilities, as they do not have installed slabs, which daily restricts easy access for people with disabilities in the state.

Beyond accessing health facilities, the coordinator added: “The cultural malpractices of the traditional surgical removal of whitish cheek discolouration due to severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are also another challenge in accessing healthcare delivery services in the state.”

The Strength Project theme, “Strengthening Access to Integrated Healthcare Services for Vulnerable Populations in Damboa”, is dedicated to improving access to life-saving, integrated primary healthcare services for vulnerable populations by what he described as “strengthening the community health system and promoting preventive care”.

Williams stated that AHI has performed much higher than its initial targets on health facility services by 102%, while mobile healthcare services also hit 171 per cent.

According to him, even the skill deliveries in the council area rose by 72%.

Responding to the closeout event of AHI in the state, most of the participants demanded an extension of the Strength Project to other LGAs, despite its closure in Borno state, as cases of snake bites are on the rise in the Dikwa, Mobbar and Gwoza local council areas for intervention to save people’s lives.

Most of the women and children were provided with treated mosquito nets and antenatal and postnatal medications against malaria and other preventable diseases in the council area, devastated by the over-a-decade insurgency. While mothers and their newborns were given delivery kits. Essential drugs were also provided through medical mobile outreach in communities and hard-to-reach areas. We have provided essential drugs to three facilities and trained health care workers to support them.

Kadafur Signs First-Ever Acting Governor Budget as Borno Approves N892.4bn for 2026

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State has officially sealed its 2026 fiscal roadmap after Acting Governor Umar Kadafur signed into law an N892.4 billion appropriation bill passed by the State House of Assembly.

Governor Babagana Zulum had earlier presented an N890.3 billion estimate to lawmakers on December 29, 2025. The Assembly then added N2.37 billion following budget defences by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), pushing the total to N892.4 billion.

At a brief ceremony on Tuesday inside Government House, Maiduguri, Kadafur praised the swift legislative process, describing it as a reflection of accountability and public-interest governance.

“Your quick passage of this budget has ensured transparency and public interest in the critical sectoral allocations that could impact on people’s lives,” he said.

He commended lawmakers for what he called “meticulous, diligent and sustained efforts” despite tough economic conditions facing the state and the country.

The Acting Governor also acknowledged the timely approval of the Local Government Amendment Law 2000, which extends the tenure of council chairmen and councillors from two to three years—an adjustment he said would strengthen grassroots governance and improve service delivery.

Kadafur stressed that the budget signing marked an important financial direction for the year.

“This demonstrates a shared sense of responsibility and a clear understanding of the urgency of providing a sound financial framework for governance,” he said, assuring prudent management and value for money in all government projects and programs.

Beyond its fiscal impact, Tuesday’s event entered the state’s political history as the first time an acting governor would sign an annual budget into law. The development followed Zulum’s annual leave and constitutional transmission of power to his deputy.

Speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, said the Assembly adjusted the initial proposal after reviewing submissions from MDAs.

“The budget increased by N2.37 billion, translating to a total sum of N892.4 billion,” he confirmed, noting that the additions were directed mainly to the health and education sectors.

The 2026 budget is expected to guide Borno’s development priorities in a period marked by post-conflict reconstruction, economic strain, and growing demands for social services across the state.