Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged residents to protect the peace achieved in the state and ensure that the emerging 2027 political season does not undermine the relative stability recorded in recent years.
Zulum made the call in his Independence Day message on Thursday as Nigeria marked its 66th anniversary, while highlighting his administration’s efforts in security, reconstruction, education, healthcare, agriculture and the resettlement of people displaced by insurgency.
Key Highlights
- Zulum urged Borno residents to protect the state’s hard-earned peace.
- The governor said about two million displaced residents had returned to their communities.
- He said more than 1,500 clusters of projects had been executed across Borno’s 27 local government areas.
- Zulum said more than 30,000 homes, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure had been reconstructed.
- Functional secondary schools reportedly increased from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026.
- School enrolment increased to about 1.8 million children, according to the governor.
- Zulum urged political actors to conduct peaceful campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections.
- He attributed improved security to the combined efforts of security personnel, community leaders and Borno residents.
Zulum Highlights Borno’s Recovery From Insurgency
The governor said Borno had made significant progress in recovering from years of insurgency and warned that the gains should be protected by residents.
“About two million of our people have returned to their communities, and we are working to resettle more. We must not allow a few unpatriotic people to derail this hard-earned peace,” Zulum said.
He said his administration had focused on security, human capital development, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, community reconstruction and the safe, voluntary and dignified resettlement of internally displaced persons and refugees.
According to Zulum, more than 1,500 clusters of projects have been executed across the state’s 27 local government areas over the past seven years.
He said the projects had contributed to improved livelihoods, strengthened security and supported the return and resettlement of displaced residents.
Governor Credits Security Gains to Collective Effort
Zulum attributed the improvement in security to the combined efforts of security personnel, volunteers, traditional rulers, community and religious leaders, as well as the resilience of Borno residents.
“The improved security we enjoy today is the result of the collective efforts of our gallant security personnel, volunteers, traditional, community and religious leaders and, above all, the resilient people of Borno,” he said.
The governor added that more than 30,000 houses, schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure destroyed during the insurgency had been reconstructed.
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Borno Expands Education Infrastructure
On education, Zulum said the number of functional secondary schools increased from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026.
He also said school enrolment had risen to about 1.8 million children, while the number of teachers had increased.
The governor said his administration was placing greater emphasis on digital and vocational education to equip young people with relevant skills.
Recent figures attributed to Zulum show that enrolment increased from 766,551 learners in 2019 to 1,801,295 in 2026. He also said functional secondary schools expanded from 34 across eight local government areas in 2019 to 129 across 25 local government areas in 2026.
Government Highlights Agriculture and Healthcare
Zulum further highlighted investments in agriculture aimed at promoting year-round farming and improving livelihoods.
He said the administration was also strengthening the healthcare system and expanding access to medical services through the state contributory health scheme.
According to the governor, the government was creating business and investment opportunities as part of efforts to accelerate Borno’s post-conflict economic recovery.
“Borno is now an investment destination because of its strategic location and its human capital and natural resources. We are unlocking opportunities that will drive our post-conflict recovery,” he said.
Zulum Calls for Peaceful 2027 Campaigns
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, Zulum urged political actors and residents to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the rule of law.
“As the political season sets in, let us conduct our campaigns without rancour, so we do not undermine the relative peace and stability our state now enjoys,” he said.
The governor called on residents to continue promoting unity and peaceful coexistence while rejecting violence and other actions capable of threatening Borno’s recovery.
His message comes as the state continues efforts to rebuild communities and restore public services affected by years of insurgency. The Borno State Government identifies reconstruction, rehabilitation, resettlement, education, agriculture, healthcare and security among its key development priorities. For more updates on this and other stories, follow us on X.
