Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has promised swift reforms and upgrade of facilities at the Mohammed Goni College of Legal and Islamic Studies and its Higher Islamic College in Maiduguri to expand access to education.
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‎Zulum made the pledge at the Government House, Maiduguri while receiving the report of a 10-man visitation panel set up to review the college’s activities.
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‎The Governor commended the panel for its thoroughness, noting that it carried out the assignment “without fear or favour.” He assured that recommendations in the report would be implemented immediately.
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‎”I want to commend the chairman, members of the committee, provost, management team, and staff of the institution, and I want to assure you that the report of this committee shall be implemented very, very, very soon,” Zulum said.
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‎Governor Zulum disclosed that he had visited the college twice in recent months to assess conditions on the ground. He said he was moved by the resilience of students, many of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds.
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‎He noted that despite limited financial resources, lecturers were teaching to the best of their ability while students strove to keep up with academic activities.
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‎Among concerns raised by students during his visits, the Governor listed inadequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities and the college’s exclusion from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund scheme. He pledged to address both issues as part of a planned rehabilitation exercise expected to begin within days.
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‎The Governor also endorsed the panel’s recommendation to constitute a Governing Council to steer the college away from decline, describing it as a good idea that would receive his support.
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‎Zulum said improved facilities at the Higher Islamic section could draw in more students, including out-of-school women within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council area who currently lack access to education due to poverty.
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‎”The school has the capacity to recruit not fewer than 10,000 students, even the Higher Islamic section. I think we shall do this one,” Zulum said, adding that renovation of the expansive Higher Islamic wing was already under consideration following the panel’s findings.
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‎Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Visitation Panel, Alhaji Mohammed Abatcha, said while the college’s administrative and management structure remains functional, its leadership and decision-making processes require a complete overhaul.
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‎The panel also raised concerns about staff and student welfare, physical and administrative infrastructure, and compliance with directives from supervisory bodies. It described the college’s financial application and resource management as weak.
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‎To address these gaps, Abatcha said the panel put forward six key recommendations, including strengthening leadership and decision-making, staff development and training, and adoption of comprehensive financial budgeting, accounting and reporting systems.
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‎The event was attended by the acting Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe, Commissioners of Education and Women Affairs, Permanent Secretary, Government House, and other top government officials.
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Zulum Promises Swift Reforms At Mohammed Goni College
