Borno State Governor, His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced a scholarship scheme for all female indigenes of the state who scored 200 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), reaffirming his administration’s commitment to advancing girl-child education and supporting women in STEM fields.
The announcement came during the inauguration ceremony of the 4th Chairperson of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Maiduguri Branch, held on Saturday. The high-profile event attracted engineers, education stakeholders, and government officials from across the region and beyond.
The outgoing 3rd Chairperson, Engr. Kori Shettima, FNSE, in her valedictory speech, highlighted numerous achievements during her tenure and expressed profound appreciation to Governor Zulum and Engr. Dr. Habiba Babagana Umara Zulum for their continued support. She described them as “beacons of inspiration” for women in engineering and praised their efforts in strengthening APWEN’s impact in Borno.
The newly sworn-in 4th Chairperson, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali, MNSE, FNIEEE, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve, pledging to uphold the association’s mission and enhance the visibility and contributions of women engineers in the state.
A major highlight of the event was a keynote address by Engr. Dr. Habiba Babagana Umara Zulum titled “The Importance of Mentorship to the Girl Child.” She stressed the role of mentorship in shaping the aspirations of young girls and guiding them toward successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). In recognition of academic excellence, she awarded scholarships to twelve outstanding female students—six from Federal Government College, Monguno, and six from Government Secondary School, Wulari.
Governor Zulum, in his remarks, said the newly announced scholarship for female UTME high scorers is part of his administration’s broader effort to provide equal opportunities in higher education, especially in male-dominated fields like engineering and technology.
“We are determined to break every barrier that limits the girl child’s access to quality education,” the governor stated. “By supporting our female students, we are investing in the future of Borno State.”
Commending the governor’s initiative, the Borno State Commissioner of Works and Housing, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Maiduguri Branch, Engr. M.B. Shettima, FNSE, lauded the administration’s proactive efforts to empower women through education and professional development.
The event concluded with renewed optimism for the future of female participation in engineering and a strong call to action for stakeholders to continue fostering inclusive growth in STEM sectors.
The inauguration not only marked a change in leadership within APWEN Maiduguri but also signaled a growing commitment to gender equity in education and professional advancement across Borno State.
