My Ambition Was To Become VC, Not Governor – Zulum

• Governor Zulum revealed his true ambition was to become vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, not governor of Borno State
• Zulum urged academic support for his goal, proposing investments in livestock, poultry, and agriculture to generate sustainable university revenue

The governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, revealed that his original ambition was to become the vice chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, not the state’s governor. He expressed this sentiment during a weekend send-off ceremony for the outgoing vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, in Maiduguri.

Governor Zulum stated that while he respects the course of destiny, his true passion lies in academia. “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,” he said, emphasizing that his motivation was not financial but rather a desire to contribute to the educational system.

Addressing professors and academics, Zulum asked for their support in achieving his lifelong ambition, recalling his previous roles as a lecturer and a student. He identified funding as a major challenge for the university and called for innovative solutions to generate sustainable revenue.

Zulum proposed focusing on four key investment areas, particularly in livestock production, poultry, and commercial agriculture, leveraging his experience as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic. He also pledged to address issues related to the university’s power, water, and academic challenges. Furthermore, he praised the outgoing vice chancellor for maintaining relative peace during his tenure despite challenges such as COVID-19, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and the IPPS.