Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that his initial aspiration was to become the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, rather than the governor of the state. He shared this during a send-off ceremony for the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, in Maiduguri over the weekend.
Zulum explained that while he respects destiny, his true passion lies in academia, and he hopes to pursue this goal after his tenure as governor ends.
“I never aspired to be the governor of Borno State; my ambition was to become the vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri. I don’t know if the university would consider me for the role. It’s not about the money, but about contributing to the educational system,” he said.
Addressing the professors and academics present, Zulum sought their support in achieving his lifelong ambition, noting his previous experience as a lecturer and a student among them.
He pointed out that funding is a significant challenge for the university and called for innovative solutions to create sustainable revenue streams.
Zulum suggested investing in four key areas: livestock production, poultry, and commercial agriculture, drawing from his experience as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic.
He also committed to addressing issues related to power, water, and academic challenges facing the university. Additionally, he commended the outgoing vice chancellor for maintaining relative peace during his tenure despite challenges like COVID-19, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).