Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Tuesday performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 48 classrooms at the Higher Islamic College and inaugurated a newly constructed Day Secondary School in Fikayel, Bayo Local Government Area of the state.
The projects form part of the Zulum administration’s broader commitment to expanding access to quality education, particularly for children and youths in rural and underserved communities across Borno State.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Zulum said the Higher Islamic College project would consist of three classroom blocks with a total of 48 classrooms, designed to cater for school dropouts and graduates of non-formal education institutions, especially those from hard-to-reach rural areas.
According to the governor, the initiative aims to bridge the educational gap between non-formal and formal learning systems by providing structured academic pathways for students who previously lacked access to conventional secondary education.
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“This institution will give a second chance to young people who dropped out of school or passed through non-formal education systems. Education remains the most powerful tool for rebuilding our communities and securing the future of our children,” Zulum said.
He explained that the Higher Islamic College would integrate Islamic and conventional education, enabling students to acquire both religious knowledge and formal academic qualifications that will prepare them for higher education and gainful employment.
Governor Zulum also inaugurated the newly constructed Day Secondary School in Fikayel, describing it as a critical intervention to address the growing demand for secondary education in Bayo Local Government Area. He noted that the school would significantly reduce the distance students travel to access education, thereby improving enrolment, retention, and completion rates.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education as a cornerstone of post-insurgency recovery, peacebuilding, and socio-economic development in Borno State.
“Our focus is not only on rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by insurgency but also on creating opportunities that will empower our youths and protect them from social vices,” he added.
Community leaders and education stakeholders at the event commended the governor for prioritising education in rural communities, describing the projects as timely and impactful. They expressed optimism that the new facilities would transform learning outcomes and improve the lives of children and young adults in the area.
The ceremonies were attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, education administrators, and residents of Bayo Local Government Area, who welcomed the projects as a major boost to educational development in the region.
