By HAMZA SULEIMAN

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced a full scholarship for all female indigenes of the state who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The UTME is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institution after their secondary school education.

Zulum made the scholarship announcement on Saturday in Maiduguri.

He spoke during the inauguration of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Maiduguri Chapter, and a scholarship programme facilitated by his wife, Dr. Habiba Babagana Zulum.

The governor said the initiative was aimed at promoting girl-child education and encouraging female students.

He said it was to encourage them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as technical and vocational education.

?In order to encourage girl-child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes who scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State Government to study STEM or technical/vocational education,? Zulum said.

The governor directed the acting Chief of Staff, the State Scholarship Board, Ministry of Education and APWEN to identify and screen eligible candidates for the scholarship scheme.

He commended his wife for her efforts in supporting education and acknowledged APWEN?s role in promoting the engineering profession among women and girls in Borno.

The governor?s wife delivered a paper titled, ?The Role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to Pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria?.

She emphasised the importance of mentorship in enhancing both personal and professional development among young girls.

Dr. Zulum noted that women made up only 14 per cent of Nigeria?s STEM workforce, which should be improved upon.

?Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations,? she said.

She highlighted its role in building confidence, breaking stereotypes, fostering critical thinking and creating access to opportunities.

In her remarks, the outgoing APWEN Chairperson, Kori Shettima, expressed pride in the association?s achievements, particularly in advocacy and mentorship for girls in STEM fields.

?I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired,? Shettima said.

Highlights of the event include the inauguration of the 4th Chairperson of APWEN, Maiduguri Chapter, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali.

It also featured the presentation scholarships ? N200,000 each to six top-performing female pupils of Wulari Primary School and N300,000 each to six best science students of Federal Government Girls College, Monguno. (NAN)

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