Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday conducted official government business from the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects Office in Biu, marking the first time he has operated from the facility since it was established in 2022.
The move underscores the governor’s commitment to decentralising governance and bringing government closer to the people across the state.
The Biu Zonal Office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established to strengthen public service delivery, improve accountability, enhance project monitoring and evaluation, and accelerate infrastructural development across the Southern Borno Senatorial District.
Similar offices have also been established in Monguno and Bama to serve the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, respectively.
While in Biu, Governor Zulum held a security meeting with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Benisheikh, to review recent successes in counter-insurgency operations and discuss strategies for sustaining the gains.
The governor said his decision to work from the zonal office reflects his administration’s policy of taking governance directly to the grassroots rather than concentrating official activities in Maiduguri. Since assuming office in 2019, Zulum has consistently travelled across the state’s 27 local government areas to inspect projects and engage with communities.
Governor Zulum is currently on a working visit to Southern Borno. On Wednesday, he flagged off the 2026 wet farming season in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area, where he launched the distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertilizer at a 50 percent subsidized rate. Farmers also received free agrochemicals, certified seeds, knapsack sprayers, water pumps, and 10,000 bicycles to boost agricultural production.
During his visit to Biu, the governor also announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of efforts to reduce youth unemployment, political thuggery, and other social vices. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji (Dr.) Mustapha Umar Mustapha II.
In addition, Governor Zulum met with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Biu and approved a welfare package of ₦50,000 for each corps member. Nursing mothers among the corps members will receive an additional ₦200,000 each, while the NYSC Zonal Inspector was given ₦250,000. Other NYSC officials, including the Liaison Officer, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their dedication and service.
