Vice President Kashim Shettima expressed Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing the education sector through increased funding and sweeping reforms.
Senator Shettima made the commitment while delivering the University of Maiduguri 50th anniversary lecture titled “Education, Leadership and National Development, at the Muhammadu Indimi International Conference Centre, Maiduguri.
The lecture was preceded by the conferment of doctorate degree on Borno State Governor and Chairman North East Governors’ Forum, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu and Sir Emeka Offor.
Senator Shettima declared education as the “immune system of the nation” emphasizing that education is the most reliable vehicle to development.
The Vice President acknowledged the university’s five-decade impact, stating that the institution has “paid its dues” by producing graduates who have injected knowledge, competence, and moral character into the labour market.”
He outlined government’s commitment to revamping the sector by allocating ₦3.5 trillion to education, representing 7.3% of the national budget in the 2025 budget.
“We have made it clear that we do not come to pay lip service to education,” he stated. “The 2025 allocation is therefore a declaration of intent and a clear acknowledgement that the future belongs to those who invest in their people.”
He highlighted new initiatives, including support for mechanized farming in universities, grants for medical education, and expanded entrepreneurial programmes to prepare students for a modern economy.
The Vice President stated that the insurgency have had devastating impact on education sector in Borno State, revealed that over 500 schools were attacked between 2009 and 2021, 2,246 and 5,000 classrooms were destroyed and 2,295 teachers killed.
“These attacks were ideological in nature,” Shettima asserted. “The attackers understood that an educated population cannot be manipulated, cannot be enslaved, and cannot be compelled to bow to tyranny. When terrorists attacked schools, they were attempting to kill the future.
However, he maintained that several programmes and initiatives have been taken to counter this narrative of destruction with one of resilience. He reported that public schools in the state have now registered 877,777 learners, with education receiving ₦70 billion in the state budget and massive investments in school feeding and examination fees.
Vice President Shettima listed ongoing reforms by President Bola Tinubu to ensure equitable and affordable access to education. These include the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has already disbursed ₦110 billion in interest-free loans to over 328,000 students and digital transformation initiatives aimed at embedding skills in AI and robotics.
Senator Shettima called for a united effort from all stakeholders to address the challenges bedeviling the education sector, emphasizing that “government cannot do it alone.”
“The world has become a single interconnected labour market. Talent moves to where opportunities exist, and opportunities gravitate to where talent is nurtured,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that Nigeria is not merely a participant in this global contest but a competitive and confident player.”
…UNIMAID Re-launches Endowment Fund, Secures Over N5 Billion
The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has officially re-launched its Endowment Fund, realizing over N5 billion in donations to bolster the institution’s future.
The chief launcher and chairman Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi announced a donation of N2 billion, emphasizing the importance of investing in education to empower future generations.
Governors of the North-East led by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum donated N1.8 billion, North-East Development Commission committed N1.5 billion, comprising a N250 million cash donation and N500 million in project support.
Additional major donations included N250 million from Sir Emaka Offor, members of National Assembly from Borno State collectively donated N200 million, APC Deputy National Chairman North, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, N100 million among other donations.