Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has disclosed that the ongoing insurgency has led to the destruction of over 5,000 school structures, displacing approximately 2.2 million children from education at the height of the crisis. This alarming revelation was made during the inauguration of several completed educational projects in Maiduguri on Sunday.

Zulum emphasized that the insurgency not only obliterated physical school buildings but also resulted in the tragic loss of numerous teachers and school administrators, significantly disrupting the educational landscape in the region. "The insurgency destroyed more than 5,000 school structures, while at its peak, an estimated 2.2 million children were out of school, with fewer than 500,000 enrolled," he stated.

In response to the crisis, Zulum's administration has made substantial efforts to rebuild educational infrastructure, focusing on more than just physical construction. He articulated that the goal is to restore access to education and rebuild community confidence in the aftermath of the insurgency. "Rebuilding schools is beyond constructing physical structures. It is about restoring access to education, rebuilding confidence in our communities, and providing our children with the opportunity to secure a better future," he remarked.

During the commissioning event, Zulum unveiled four significant projects, including the Larawaram Community Senior Secondary School and the Shehu Sanda Kyarimi I Primary and Junior Secondary School. He also inaugurated a post office nine-span flyover and a dualized 2.5-kilometre road complete with five kilometres of drainage from Budum Tandari Junction to Kasuwan Shanu.

The governor highlighted that his administration has invested a staggering N46,987,069,675.33 in basic and secondary education between the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. This investment is part of a broader initiative that has seen 136 projects completed and awaiting commissioning.

Zulum further reported a significant increase in educational infrastructure, noting that the number of usable classrooms has risen to 5,792, while functional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities have reached 4,563. At the senior secondary level, the number of operational schools soared from 34 across eight local government areas in 2019 to 129 across 25 LGAs by 2026.

The governor attributed the remarkable growth in school enrolment from 766,551 learners in 2019 to 1,801,295 in 2026 to enhanced access to education, improved public confidence, and sustained investment in the sector. Zulum's commitment to revitalizing education in Borno aims to provide the younger generation with the tools necessary for a brighter future, despite the challenges posed by the insurgency.