Distinguished Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip of the 10th Senate and representative of Borno North, has reinforced his commitment to youth development and education by awarding fully funded international Master’s degree scholarships to 11 science graduates from his constituency.
The initiative, part of the M.T. Monguno Foreign Scholarship Programme, is aimed at equipping young scholars with advanced knowledge and global exposure in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. It also complements the efforts of Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum in rebuilding Northern Borno, a region long affected by insurgency, through strategic interventions in education and human capital development.
The beneficiaries, carefully selected through a merit-based process, all graduated with Second Class Upper degrees in STEM courses and excelled in a rigorous aptitude test administered by an independent committee. The scholars, drawn from across the ten Local Government Areas of Borno North, will pursue a two-year Master’s programme in India. The first year will focus on coursework, while the second year will emphasize research, culminating in the award of MSc degrees recognized internationally.
The scholarship package, valued at hundreds of millions of naira, covers tuition, visa processing, travel, accommodation, monthly allowances, laptops, and research support. It is designed to ensure that the students have all the tools and resources required to excel academically and return home prepared to contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Senator Monguno described the initiative as a transformative effort to rebuild Northern Borno by empowering its brightest minds. He reiterated his commitment to sustaining the programme annually, ensuring that more young people benefit from access to world-class education.
“This is about creating opportunities, developing capacity, and preparing the next generation to drive progress in Northern Borno. By investing in education, we are securing the future of our communities and strengthening the foundation for long-term growth,” Monguno said.
The programme has been widely lauded as a landmark intervention, signaling a new era in the empowerment of youths in Borno North and setting a precedent for legislative leadership in educational development.