World Bank Country Director Opens Zulum’s Seven Legacy Projects
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Mathew Verghis, has commissioned seven legacy projects executed by the administration of Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State. The projects, which include a flyover bridge, three mega schools and three dual-carriageway roads, form part of Governor Zulum’s post-insurgency urban renewal and human capital development agenda. Dr Verghis, who performed the ceremonial tape-cutting, commended the governor for his achievements and reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for the state.
By Chiroma Ali Ibrahim
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Mathew Verghis, has commissioned seven legacy projects executed by the administration of Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State.
The projects, which include a flyover bridge, three mega schools and three dual-carriageway roads, form part of Governor Zulum’s post-insurgency urban renewal and human capital development agenda.
Dr Verghis, who performed the ceremonial tape-cutting, commended the governor for his achievements and reaffirmed the World Bank’s support for the state.
“We have seen many of the programmes Governor Zulum is leading, which the World Bank is supporting, and we are proud to do so. We will continue to work with the Government of Borno State, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the communities and families who are the true architects of this country’s future,” he said.
He added that the newly commissioned schools represent hope for children affected by conflict and hardship.
“These schools are more than buildings. They send a message to every young person that their future matters, to every girl who was told that school was not for her — we disagree — and to every family that has endured hardship and uncertainty,” he stated.
The commissioned educational facilities include the 30-classroom Government Secondary School, Mainusari, Mairi; the 30-classroom Mega Primary School, Maimusari; and the 20-classroom Command Secondary School, Maiduguri.
Other projects inaugurated were the West End Flyover Bridge, the 1.53-kilometre Sultan Mainalari Dual-Carriageway Road, the 2.3-kilometre Bursari Dual-Carriageway Road and the 2.4-kilometre Shehu Sanda Kura Dual-Carriageway Road.
In his remarks, Governor Zulum highlighted milestones achieved by his administration in education, infrastructure development, urban renewal, economic growth and climate action.
“Today’s commissioning of the Maimusari Junior Secondary School, Mairi, alongside other mega schools, marks a major achievement in our education recovery and expansion efforts. These modern facilities are designed to provide equitable access to quality education, particularly for orphans, vulnerable children and those affected by conflict,” he said.
The governor noted that a World Bank-supported Recovery and Peace Building Assessment revealed that over 5,000 classrooms were destroyed at the peak of the crisis, leaving about 2.2 million children out of school.
He explained that his administration has constructed 104 new schools and rehabilitated 2,931 classrooms and related facilities, reducing the number of out-of-school children by over 70 per cent to fewer than 800,000, while enrolment has risen to over 1.4 million as of December 2025.
To sustain enrolment and retention, Zulum said the government has distributed over 20 million exercise books, two million textbooks, 1.5 million school uniforms and 700,000 school bags, alongside other learning materials.
He added that about 50,000 pupils benefit annually from the school feeding programme, while 10,000 bicycles have been distributed to improve access to education in rural communities.
The Governor further stated that his administration has prioritised Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for out-of-school youth by establishing five Vocational Enterprise Institutes, three Second-Chance Women and Girls Skills Entrepreneurship Schools and reactivating nine vocational training centres across the state.
He also disclosed that reforms are ongoing to modernise the Tsangaya education system, with Higher Islamic Colleges being established in each of the 27 local government areas, 20 of which have been completed.
Beyond education, Zulum said his administration has constructed 7.44 kilometres of dual-carriageway roads, 14.86 kilometres of drainage systems and a third flyover bridge, bringing the total to four flyovers, with another currently under construction, alongside over 412 kilometres of roads and 108 kilometres of drainage infrastructure across the state.
