Zulum Edifying Borno’s Future: Notable Upshots From The Weeklong Southern Borno Tour

By: Dauda Iliya

The faster Professor Babagana Umara Zulum strides towards the terminal date of his 8-year governorship stint in Borno State, the firmer he gets in his determination to bequeath to his successor a state sprinting towards full recovery and prosperity on a smooth Future-Secured turf.

Over the last seven years, Zulum has trotted across his terror-troubled state, ministering to its comprehensive socioeconomic recovery needs, notably infrastructural reconstruction; communities resettlement; rebooting of commercial activities; renovation and reinvention of educational, health and agricultural programmes and services according to existing and emerging necessities; the restoration of hope; and the reshaping of nauseating narratives.

As he strode across those seven years, he was guided by his firm vision of building a Future-Secured-Future-Assured prosperity for the state, which he is determined to bequeath to a successor who shares his vision, commitment, character and credibility to build further.

This vision guided Governor Zulum to the 5 LGAs of Southern Borno from 7th July to 12th July, during which he recorded numerous accomplishments in its actualization.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Governor Zulum has spent an entire week in the area — back in January 2026, he delivered a hefty package of projects across education, healthcare, infrastructure and empowerment in southern Borno.

This time, the Governor returned in even grander fashion, performing feats no Chief Executive has ever undertaken in the state’s history.

At Biu, his first port of call, on Tuesday, 7th July, was a courtesy call on the Emir of Biu, Alhaji (Dr) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, at his palace. Zulum announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of measures to curb youth restiveness, political thuggery and other social vices across the state.

During his remarks, Zulum expressed delight that incidents of thuggery had declined significantly since the inception of his administration, maintaining, however, that creating employment opportunities for young people remains the most sustainable solution to the challenge.

The governor underscored the need to empower unemployed youths as a critical measure to prevent their exploitation in criminal and political activities. “We will be doing a great disservice to our youth if we allow them to continue to engage in thuggery without empowering them. You hardly find the children of prominent politicians, governors, senators, commissioners or even councillors involved in political thuggery,” he said.

He urged the Emir of Biu and other community leaders to work with the government in tackling drug abuse, gangsterism and other social vices.

“We will continue to invest in our youth. I want Biu Local Government to identify 100 unemployed graduates, preferably those who studied health-related courses, English, Mathematics and Physics, especially among those involved in political thuggery, and we are ready to offer them employment opportunities,” the governor assured.

On Wednesday, 8th July, the Governor flagged off the 2026 statewide Wet Farming Season. He launched the sale and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertilizer at 50 percent subsidized rates, alongside the distribution of free agricultural inputs to 120,000 farmers to boost food production and improve farmers’ livelihoods across the state.

The intervention includes the distribution of free agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps, bicycles and post-harvest storage facilities as part of the state’s comprehensive agricultural support programme.

Governor Zulum also launched the distribution of 10,000 bicycles to enhance mobility for rural farmers and unveiled post-harvest storage facilities to reduce losses and improve the preservation of farm produce.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony held at Kwaya Kusar Main Stadium, the Governor said the intervention was designed to strengthen agriculture, guarantee food and nutrition security, create employment opportunities and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.

The Governor explained that the programme covers the entire agricultural value chain, including mechanisation services, irrigation development, fertiliser and improved seed distribution, agrochemical support, agricultural extension services, harvesting support, post-harvest storage, agro-processing facilities, market access, and agricultural financing initiatives targeting women and youths.

“Beyond fertilisers, the state government will also distribute 40,000 litres of agrochemicals free of charge, 5,000 water pumps, 5,000 knapsack sprayers, 10,000 bicycles and other essential farm inputs to over 120,000 profiled farmers across the state to ensure that farmers receive support across the entire agricultural value chain,” the governor announced.

Zulum revealed that Kwaya Kusar was deliberately selected to host the state-wide launch because of its strategic importance as one of Borno’s major agricultural hubs and its immense farming potential within the North-East region.

He also warned beneficiaries against diverting or selling the subsidised fertilisers.

Professor Zulum also announced a cash support package of ₦500 million for vulnerable persons, women, and youths across the five local government areas of Biu, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar, Shani, and Bayo to enhance livelihoods and stimulate economic activities.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Bawu Musami, described Borno as steadily emerging as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural states through sustained investments in the sector.

Zulum Conducts Official State Duties from Biu, Meets Security Chiefs

On Thursday, 9th July, Governor Zulum performed his official government duties at the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects Office in Biu. This was to underscore his administration’s commitment to grassroots governance and bringing government closer to the people.

The Biu Zonal Office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established and commissioned by Governor Zulum in 2022 to strengthen public service delivery, enhance accountability, improve project monitoring and evaluation, and accelerate infrastructural development across Southern Borno Senatorial zone.

Thursday’s engagement marked the first time Governor Zulum officially operated from the Biu Zonal Office since its establishment, marking a significant milestone in the decentralization of government operations.

The Governor, while at the zonal office, met with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Brigade Commander, 29 Taskforce Brigade, Benishiekh, to consolidate recent gains in counter-insurgency operations.

The Governor’s decision to conduct official state business from the facility reflects his leadership philosophy of taking governance to the grassroots rather than confining government activities to Maiduguri.

Over the past seven years, Governor Zulum has maintained a unique style of governance, traveling extensively across all 27 local government areas to assess projects and engage directly with communities personally.

Zulum Lays Foundation of 100-bed Kwaya Kusar General Hospital, Inspects Projects

Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Saturday, 11th July, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for a new 100-bed General Hospital in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area in fulfillment of his promise made on Wednesday during the flag-off of the 2026 Wet Farming Season and the launch of the sales and distribution of subsidised fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to farmers.

Zulum said the new hospital, to be completed in six months, would expand healthcare services in Kwaya Kusar by complementing the existing General Hospital, which will also be upgraded and equipped with modern medical facilities.

He also approved the immediate recruitment of one nurse, five Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), and two Medical Records Officers for the hospital.

As part of his ongoing working tour of the five local government areas in the zone, Governor Zulum inspected several ongoing projects, including the construction of a 48-classroom Higher Islamic College in Shani, a 36-classroom Mega School in Marama, a 48-classroom Integrated Mega School in Shaffa, a 100-bed General Hospital in Shaffa, and General Hospital Briyel.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work being executed by contractors.

“I am delighted to have visited these five local government areas in Southern Borno. We have seen the level of commitment demonstrated by our contractors. We have inspected several projects. This is the General Hospital in Azare, one of the ten General Hospitals currently under construction across the state. I am pleased with the quality of work. Opposite it is the Integrated Mega School, and I am equally satisfied with the standard of construction,” Zulum stated.

Governor Zulum assured residents that all ongoing projects initiated by his administration would be completed before the end of his tenure.

“We are winding down our administration, and we will ensure that all the projects we have started are completed, In Shaa Allah. We will also establish institutional arrangements that will guarantee the sustainability of these projects,” he assured.

Zulum Announces Construction of 2-Mega Community Schools, Toured Projects

Professor Zulum announced on Sunday, 12th July, plans to establish two additional community secondary schools in Biu town as part of efforts to expand access to quality education for children in the area.

Governor Zulum also declared Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Biu as one of the eight Centres of Excellence established by his administration to promote academic excellence and unity among students across the state.

After spending the night in Azare, Hawul Local Government Area, Zulum embarked on an early morning inspection of educational and health institutions in Biu.

He visited Government Senior Science Secondary School, Government Secondary School Waka, Government Girls Secondary School, Nigerian Army University, the new General Hospital, and the 100 Housing Estate.

The governor also inspected the State Hotels and the proposed sites for the Community Boys Day Secondary School and the Community Girls Day Secondary School. He disclosed that construction work would commence immediately.

His words: “Biu is increasing in terms of population daily; there is the need for the government of Borno State to increase access, so that more children will be admitted into junior and senior secondary schools. This morning we have toured some schools in Biu; we are looking into the possibility of constructing two additional community schools in Biu, one for boys and one for girls.”

He explained that the designation of eight secondary schools as Centres of Excellence was aimed at reviving the state’s exchange programme, where students from different parts of Borno would study together and will also be receiving transportation allowances.

“We are reintroducing the exchange program where students from northern and central Borno will be transferred to the school to study. This is to reinvigorate the culture of unity among people of the state,” he said.

Addressing Muslim and Christian female students at GGSS Biu, the governor urged them to adhere to the teachings of their respective religions, noting that moral values are essential to a peaceful, moral society.

He announced the donation of 200 bags of rice, beans, and cooking oil for students’ feeding, and promised to construct an additional borehole for the school kitchen while repairing the faulty one.

At the Nigerian Army University, Zulum inspected two blocks of 12 three-bedroom flats constructed by the state government as staff quarters. He assured the institution of continued support toward establishing a College of Medical Sciences to increase opportunities for Borno indigenes to study medicine and related courses.

Inspecting the 150-bed General Hospital under construction, the governor revealed that the facility would be upgraded to a Specialist Hospital upon completion.

“We are building another befitting hospital in Biu, which is a 150-bedded hospital; when completed, this, together with the existing facility, will have a carrying capacity of between 300 and 400 beds. That means we have upgraded this hospital to a Specialist Hospital,” he stressed.

“We are upgrading the hospital to provide the services needed by the Nigerian Army University to establish the College of Medical Sciences. By next year, the Army will admit its first set of medical students. In addition, the Specialist Hospital will also serve the eight remaining local government areas in southern Borno in terms of medical services,” he stressed.

Governor Zulum also announced automatic employment for 17 volunteer nurses serving at the General Hospital and assured that more medical personnel would be recruited to strengthen healthcare delivery in the area.

Zulum Interacts with Corps Members, Announces Additional Welfare Packages

In all five Local Governments, Governor Zulum met with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Biu, Kwaya, Bayo, Shani, and Hawul, where he announced a ₦50,000 welfare package for each corps member.

As part of the intervention, corps members who are nursing mothers will receive an additional ₦200,000 each, while NYSC Zonal Inspectors will receive ₦250,000. Other NYSC officials, including the Liaison Officers, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their service and commitment.

Governor Zulum’s week-long tour of southern Borno was history in motion — reaching farmers, health workers, teachers, women, youth groups and the most vulnerable alike. It was compassion in action, governance without borders, and yet another bold stroke in the making of a Future-Secured Borno.

Dauda Iliya is the Special Adviser on Media/ Spokesperson to the Borno State Governor