I wanted to become VC, not governor – Zulum

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has said his original ambition was to become the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, not the governor of the state.

He made this revelation while speaking at a send-off ceremony for the outgoing Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, in Maiduguri at the weekend.

Zulum, who said while he cannot question destiny, added that his true goal lies in academia, expressing his desire to achieve this ambition once his tenure as governor concludes.

“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.

While addressing professors and academics, Zulum asked for their support in fulfilling his lifelong ambition, highlighting his previous role as a lecturer and student among them.

He identified funding as a significant challenge for the university and called for innovative solutions to generate sustainable revenue.

Zulum proposed four key areas for investment, particularly in livestock production, poultry, and commercial agriculture, drawing from his experience as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic.

He also pledged to address issues related to power, water, and academic challenges facing the university. 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.