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| Photo credit — Prof Babagana Umara Zulum |
Borno State Governor and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has urged the Federal Government to restart previously stalled oil exploration activities in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas.
He made the appeal on Saturday, 3 October 2026, during the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri. The two-day gathering (2–3 October) focused on regional development, security, and economic cooperation among the six North-Eastern states.
Zulum highlighted the importance of reviving oil and gas activities across the region, particularly at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State and the broader Lake Chad Basin. He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for renewed attention to Kolmani, describing it as more than an energy project. According to the governor, successful development could generate employment, drive infrastructure improvements, and expand the revenue base for states and host communities.
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He specifically asked that similar momentum be extended to Borno. Exploration work that had earlier begun in Magumeri and Gubio was later halted.
Zulum argued that responsible development of these resources would support ongoing reconstruction efforts after years of insecurity, strengthen local economies, restore livelihoods, and create sustainable opportunities for a growing population. He also noted that such projects could complement military operations and speed up broader sub-regional development.
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya used the meeting to outline progress made by the Forum since its creation. He pointed to the establishment of the North-East Education Council and coordinated approaches to the Almajiri and out-of-school children challenge. Examples cited included Borno’s Tsangaya Commission, Taraba’s Almajiri Model Education Centres, and Gombe’s Integrated Almajiri Education Centres. Health commissioners from the region also formed a platform in 2024 to improve coordination and share best practices.
Governors present included Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe. The governors of Bauchi and Yobe were represented by their deputies.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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