It was never my dream to become Borno State Governor – Zulum
Story from Usman UMAR
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that his initial aspiration was to serve as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri and not as a state governor.
Governor Zulum revealed this during a farewell event for the outgoing Vice Chancellor of UNIMAID, Professor Aliyu Shugaba, in Maiduguri over the weekend.
Zulum emphasized that although he cannot control fate, his true passion lies in the academic field. He expressed his intention to pursue this goal once his term as governor comes to an end.
Zulum stated, “Becoming the governor of Borno State was never my dream; my dream was to lead the University of Maiduguri as its vice chancellor.
“I am unsure if the university would consider me for this role. My drive is not driven by monetary gains but by the desire to make a positive impact on the education system.”
Addressing a gathering of professors and educators, Zulum sought their assistance in achieving his lifelong ambition.
He acknowledged his prior roles as a lecturer and student among them and highlighted the importance of financial support for the university.
Zulum called for creative strategies to generate sustainable income, pointing out livestock farming, poultry, and commercial agriculture as potential areas for investment based on his experience as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic.
Furthermore, the Governor promised to tackle issues related to electricity, water, and educational challenges at the university.
He commended the outgoing vice chancellor for maintaining relative calm during his tenure despite obstacles such as the impact of COVID-19, the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS).