Governor Babagana Zulum has disclosed his long-held dream of becoming the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, revealing a lesser-known aspect of his career aspirations.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony for the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, on the weekend, Governor Zulum expressed his desire to pursue this ambition once his tenure as governor comes to an end.
“I never aspired to be the governor of Borno State; my ambition was to become the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri,” Governor Zulum stated. “It’s not about the money, but about contributing to the educational system.”
Governor Zulum, a lecturer and former student of the university, solicited the support of professors and academics in fulfilling his lifelong ambition. He identified funding as a significant challenge facing the university and called for innovative solutions to generate sustainable revenue.
The governor proposed four key areas for investment, including livestock production, poultry, and commercial agriculture, drawing on his experience as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic. He also pledged to address issues related to power, water, and academic challenges facing the university.
Governor Zulum commended the outgoing Vice Chancellor for maintaining relative peace during his tenure despite challenges such as COVID-19, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
