Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has led a high-level delegation to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, where he met with the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Sidi Ould Tah, to strengthen investment partnerships aimed at accelerating the state’s post-conflict recovery and economic development.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, September 2, focused on deepening the longstanding relationship between Borno State and the AfDB while exploring opportunities for high-impact and sustainable investments across key sectors of the state’s economy.
Governor Zulum was accompanied by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, during the engagement.
The governor told the AfDB president that Borno was gradually moving beyond post-conflict recovery towards sustainable economic growth, stressing the importance of partnerships with development institutions that believe in the state’s long-term transformation.
“Our partnership with the African Development Bank is not just about funding projects, it is about building a future where Borno can stand on its own, where our people can farm, trade and live without fear,” Zulum said.
Discussions centred on several priority areas, including climate-smart agriculture, agro-industrial development, livestock and modern ranching, irrigation and water infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare, transportation, youth employment, enterprise development and private-sector investment through Public-Private Partnerships.
The meeting also placed significant emphasis on the economic potential of the Lake Chad Basin, particularly in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, renewable energy, agro-processing and cross-border trade.
Zulum said investment in the Lake Chad Basin could help rebuild livelihoods, create employment and promote stability across communities affected by years of insecurity.
“Lake Chad Basin holds enormous promise for our people, and for our neighbours across the region,” the governor said. “If we invest properly in agriculture, fisheries and clean energy there, we will not only rebuild livelihoods, we will restore hope and stability to communities that have suffered for far too long.”
The delegation and AfDB officials also examined ways the bank could assist Borno in preparing and structuring priority development projects, improving their bankability, mobilising financing and strengthening institutional capacity for effective implementation.
The engagement is part of the Borno State Government’s efforts to attract strategic investments, unlock the state’s economic potential and create sustainable employment opportunities as the state transitions from recovery to long-term growth and resilience.
The state government also acknowledged the AfDB’s continued support for Borno, noting that Dr Sidi Ould Tah has visited Maiduguri twice since assuming office on September 1, 2025, in what it described as a demonstration of confidence in the state’s recovery efforts.
In appreciation of the visit, Dr Sidi Ould Tah invited Governor Zulum and his team to Mauritania in December 2026 to explore mutually beneficial areas of cooperation between Borno State, Nigeria and the African Development Bank.
Other members of the delegation included the Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Maina Yaumi; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Umar Lawan Dalorima; and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Ambassador Ezenwa Chukwuemeka Nwaobiala.
