The Swiss government has expressed its readiness to support Borno State’s model for post-conflict recovery, demobilisation, and reintegration of former insurgents.
The commitment was made when Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, received the new Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff, at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Gov. Zulum thanked the Swiss government for its humanitarian interventions in the state, particularly the assistance rendered during the devastating 2024 floods that affected Maiduguri and neighbouring local government areas.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno State, I wish to extend our appreciation to the Swiss government for its intervention through the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund for emergencies in the North East and the 2024 flood disaster,” Gov. Zulum said.
The governor called for increased collaboration in rebuilding livelihoods and supporting victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“We look forward to working with you to see how funding can be increased in some critical areas, especially in supporting the victims of Boko Haram insurgency, and how we might collaborate in the field of mediation,” he added.
Highlighting progress in restoring peace, Gov. Zulum disclosed that insurgency in the state has reduced by 90 percent, with over 300,000 insurgents and their families surrendering in the last four years.
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“Borno State is now largely peaceful. Notwithstanding intermittent attacks in some areas, most resettled communities have been able to cultivate their farmlands and their means of livelihood have significantly improved,” he said.
The governor also presented the ‘Borno model’, a community-driven framework for the demobilisation, deradicalisation, and reintegration of repentant insurgents, and sought Switzerland’s partnership in strengthening the initiative.
In his response, Ambassador Egloff commended Gov. Zulum’s leadership and said Borno was the first state he had visited since assuming office.
He described Zulum’s governance approach as “citizen-focused and inspiring.”
“The leadership you provide is critical. Your style of governance, with its proximity to the citizens, is very much in line with European models,” Egloff said, adding that the ‘Borno model’ was a commendable initiative that Switzerland would be willing to support.
