The Borno State Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation has successfully concluded Phase IV of its teacher training program, with 1,181 teachers from 19 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) participating.

The graduation ceremony was held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at the Umar Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi College of Education, Science, and Technology (UIIECEST) in Bama.

The training, conducted under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, aimed to enhance the capacity and qualifications of teachers across the state.

“I extend the warmest greetings from His Excellency, Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. His commitment to education remains unwavering, as evidenced by the state’s continuous investment in teacher training and development,” said Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, Honourable Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, during the ceremony.

Governor Zulum was unable to attend the ceremony as he was in Chad overseeing the repatriation of nearly 8,000 Borno State indigenes.

While acknowledging some initial challenges in program implementation, including the absence of 133 teachers who later returned after learning of the government’s minimum wage implementation, Commissioner Wakilbe highlighted the success of the post-training assessment conducted by Professor Babagana Gutti, Vice Chancellor of Borno State University.

“Of the 878 teachers who attended, 810 successfully passed,” Commissioner Wakilbe announced.

“The names of the 68 teachers who did not pass, as well as those who failed to attend, will be submitted to their respective local government authorities by Monday.”

“This Phase IV marks significant progress,” he remarked. “Insha’Allah, Phase V will take place in Biu in March. Our goal is to ensure that Borno State has no unqualified teachers, and we are confident that this will be achieved after Phase V.”

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including representatives of His Royal Highness,

The Shehu of Bama, and officials from the Borno State University, the Nigerian Labour Congress, and the Nigerian Union of Teachers.