By David Oladimeji
When the bell rings at a government primary school in Maiduguri, children rush out of their classrooms with excitement. This time, their joy is not just about the end of a lesson, but about the warm meals waiting for them outside.
For many of these children, the promise of a daily meal at school is a lifeline. It is the difference between coming to class on an empty stomach or staying home because there is nothing to eat. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum understands this reality, and that is why he has approved free meals and stipends for students across Borno State.
The governor’s decision comes at a time when families are struggling under the weight of economic hardship, insecurity, and displacement caused by insurgency. For parents, the new policy means one less worry on their shoulders.
Take Aisha, a widow in Konduga, who has three children in school. Feeding them daily while paying for books has been overwhelming. With the governor’s approval, she says her children will no longer skip school just to help her hawk goods for extra money.
The initiative is two-fold: stipends to provide students with small but steady financial support, and free meals to ensure no child sits in class distracted by hunger. Officials say the goal is to improve attendance, reduce dropout rates, and boost learning outcomes.
Education experts describe it as a strategic move. Hunger, they argue, is one of the silent barriers to education, especially in conflict-affected areas like Borno. When children are fed, they can concentrate; when families receive support, they are more likely to send their children to school.
Since assuming office, Zulum has been known for hands-on interventions. From supervising schools at dawn to distributing learning materials personally, he has made education one of his top priorities. The stipend and meal programme is the latest in a long line of student-centered reforms.
But beyond the classrooms, the initiative has a ripple effect. Food vendors, local farmers, and suppliers in Borno are expected to benefit, as the government plans to source most of the meals locally. This, in turn, will strengthen small businesses and create jobs.
For the governor, education is more than just literacy and numeracy. It is about rebuilding lives in a state scarred by years of insurgency. “When children are in school, when they are fed, when they are supported, they are less vulnerable to exploitation,” he recently noted.
The stipend component is equally vital. Many older students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions often face the dilemma of choosing between studies and finding menial work to survive. With the allowance, however modest, they can focus more on academics.
Parents across the state have welcomed the gesture. In Damboa, a father of five described it as “the kind of relief we have prayed for.” In Gwoza, displaced families say the programme will help restore hope to children who have endured too much disruption in their young lives.
Civil society groups have also praised the move but urged the government to ensure proper monitoring so that the programme reaches those it is intended for. Transparency, they argue, will be key to sustaining public trust.
Analysts point out that Zulum’s approach to governance often combines welfare with long-term planning. By investing in students’ immediate needs, he is also investing in the human capital that will drive Borno’s recovery in the years ahead.
As schools across the state prepare to implement the programme, anticipation is high. Teachers believe it will motivate children to attend classes more regularly, while community leaders say it will strengthen the bond between government and citizens.
For now, in classrooms from Maiduguri to Bama, hope is quietly returning. With a meal on their plates and a stipend to support their learning, thousands of children are being given not just an education, but a chance at a brighter future.
