Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum says insurgents destroyed more than 5,000 school structures across the state, forcing about 2.2 million children out of school at the peak of the crisis.
Zulum disclosed this on Sunday during the inauguration of several projects in Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to the governor, the insurgency also claimed the lives of several teachers and school administrators who were carrying out their duties during the height of the crisis.
“The insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while at its peak, an estimated 2.2 million children were out of school, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled,” Zulum said.
Borno Invests N46.9bn in Education
Zulum said his administration had committed N46.98 billion to basic and secondary education between the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.
He said the investment was part of broader efforts to rebuild the education system and restore access to schools across the state.
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The governor said four projects were commissioned in Maiduguri, including the Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School and the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School.
Other projects included the Post Office nine-span flyover and the dualisation of a 2.5-kilometre road, alongside five kilometres of drainage from Budum Tandari Junction to Kasuwan Shanu.
Zulum said rebuilding schools was not only about replacing damaged structures but also about restoring confidence and giving children the opportunity to return to education.
“It is about restoring access to education, rebuilding confidence in our communities and providing our children with the opportunity to secure a better future,” he said.
School Enrolment Rises
The governor said 136 additional projects had been completed and were awaiting commissioning as part of the administration’s investment in education infrastructure.
He said the number of usable classrooms at the public pre-primary and primary levels had risen to 5,792, while usable water, sanitation and hygiene facilities increased to 4,563.
At the senior secondary level, Zulum said the number of functional schools increased from 34 across eight local government areas in 2019 to 129 across 25 LGAs in 2026.
He added that school enrolment had also increased significantly.
According to him, enrolment rose from 766,551 learners in 2019 to 1,801,295 in 2026, representing an increase of more than one million learners in seven years.
Zulum attributed the increase to expanded access to education, improved public confidence and sustained investment in the sector.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.