The path to fame and honor has never been an easy one for Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who had to overcome significant challenges to reach the pinnacle of education and leadership. Born into a humble background, Zulum’s journey is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a profound commitment to serving the poor.
Reflecting on his life, Zulum often recalls the words of General Colin Powell: “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” This sentiment encapsulates the character of Zulum, who once said he never had the luxury of being lazy, as he had to struggle all his life.
Growing up in Loskuri village in Mafa LGA of Borno State, Zulum worked alongside his father, tilling the ground from a tender age. “Every day, I trekked for seven kilometers to reach my father’s farm from our home,” he said. Balancing farming with his education at both primary and secondary levels, Zulum began to fully cater for his education while in secondary school in Monguno.
“From 1984 to around 1999 (16 years), I became a commercial driver of taxis, particularly Peugeot 404. At some point, I also drove buses carrying passengers to different villages and neighboring states. At a later time, I drove commercial pickup trucks carrying firewood from forests. While working as a commercial driver, I learned how to fix any vehicle I drove,” Zulum recounted.
In 1986, Zulum gained admission into Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri to study Irrigation Engineering. Living with relatives off-campus in Kofa Biyu, he trekked eight kilometers daily to attend lectures. “I couldn’t afford transport to school, so I walked. Whenever I drove taxis and returned the vehicles to owners, I used what I got for my basic school needs,” he said. Despite these challenges, he obtained his National Diploma in 1988.
In 1989, Zulum joined the Borno State Civil Service as an Assistant Technical Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and later moved to the Borno State Unified Local Government Service as a Senior Field Overseer. However, his aspirations extended beyond these roles. “While working, the salary couldn’t cater for my needs and some dependants, so I continued commercial driving to augment my income,” he said.
In 1990, Zulum secured admission into the University of Maiduguri for a degree in Agricultural Engineering, graduating in 1994. He then pursued an MSc in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Ibadan. “An experience after gaining admission in Ibadan will always remain memorable, as my registration was delayed for three weeks because I could not pay my registration fees. I didn’t have the money when I departed Maiduguri, but I believed I could get some work to do in Lagos. For three weeks, I lived in Alaba Rago working with commercial vehicles and there I raised the money for my tuition,” he recalled.
After obtaining his Master’s Degree, Zulum joined the University of Maiduguri in 1998 as an assistant lecturer. From 2005 to 2009, he obtained a PhD in Soil and Water Engineering from the University of Maiduguri, rising through the ranks to become Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering.
In 2011, Governor Kashim Shettima appointed Zulum as the rector of Ramat Polytechnic. His passion for education and dedication to improving the institution earned him further recognition, leading to his appointment as the pioneer Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement. In this role, Zulum worked tirelessly to bring relief to those affected by the Boko Haram crisis, earning the admiration of Shettima, who described him as a dedicated public servant with no personal ambitions for wealth.
Zulum’s dedication and tireless efforts paved the way for his election as the governor of Borno State. Since assuming office in 2019, he has shown great love for the people of Borno, particularly the less privileged. He has personally ensured the distribution of palliatives across the state and implemented various policies to improve housing, business support, and public transportation.
Under his leadership, the Ministry of Education received a substantial budget allocation, resulting in the removal of over a million out-of-school children from the streets and their return to classrooms. “Out of 1.8 million out-of-school children in 2021, we have taken measures to reduce the number to less than 800,000,” said Engineer Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Zulum’s commitment to education is further evidenced by his recent release of N4.8 billion in scholarships for 524 postgraduate students, including orphans and less privileged individuals. He has also shown compassion towards the less privileged, irrespective of ethnicity, tribe, or religion, rewarding dedicated service and providing financial support to those in need.
Governor Zulum’s journey from a humble background to the governorship is a testament to his resilience, hard work, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the people of Borno State. His leadership continues to inspire and bring hope to many, as he remains a true friend of the poor and a beacon of transformational change in Borno State.