Governor Zulum Leads Northeast Governors to Tinubu, Seeks Completion of 17 Road Projects and Oil Exploration

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday led a delegation of his counterparts from the North East to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where they met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to push for urgent development interventions in the region. The meeting, which brought together governors Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), and Agbu Keffas (Taraba), was convened under the platform of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF).

Governor Zulum, who chairs the forum, highlighted the importance of collective advocacy for the region, stressing that only a coordinated front could secure the federal government’s attention to critical issues that have long impeded the region’s growth. He noted that the governors are determined to work in unity with President Tinubu’s administration to accelerate infrastructural renewal, strengthen security, and unlock economic opportunities.

The meeting marked one of the strongest displays of regional cooperation since the forum’s establishment. Observers see it as a sign that the North East governors are not only aligning with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda but also shaping a common voice for one of Nigeria’s most underserved regions.

Ambitious 17-Road Infrastructure Program

Central to the governors’ request was the completion of 17 major roads across the region. According to Zulum, these projects are vital arteries linking states, markets, and communities, many of which remain cut off due to insurgency and decades of infrastructural neglect. The governor listed priority projects, including the Kano-Maiduguri Road, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Damaturu-Geidam Road, and the Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga Road, among others.

Also on the agenda was the revitalization of the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway line, which the governors argue will transform trade and logistics across the region if completed. They further requested urgent attention to the Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu and Wukari-Jalingo-Yola roads, key corridors for agricultural produce and inter-state travel.

Governor Zulum emphasized that these roads are more than just physical infrastructure. “They are lifelines for our people,” he told the president, noting that improved transport links would not only ease movement but also drive commerce, reduce poverty, and help stabilize communities recovering from conflict.

Oil Exploration Initiative

Beyond roads, the governors pressed for the resumption of oil exploration in frontier wells, with special focus on the Kolmani oilfields straddling Bauchi and Gombe States, as well as the Lake Chad Basin in Borno State. Zulum argued that these ventures hold transformative potential for the region, offering job creation, energy security, and new streams of government revenue.

The push for renewed exploration reflects long-standing ambitions to diversify the region’s economy. Previous attempts stalled due to insecurity and technical challenges, but with relative improvements in security and strong political will, the governors believe the time is ripe for progress.

Experts say successful exploration could reposition the North East as an energy hub, reducing the historical overdependence on agriculture and foreign aid. However, stakeholders caution that environmental safeguards and equitable revenue-sharing must be central to any such project to prevent future unrest.

Zulum Emphasize of Security Gains Create Foundation

Governor Zulum commended President Tinubu for sustaining military operations that have gradually restored peace in the North East. “We thank you for fostering peace and stability within the sub-region and continuing with the initiative of your predecessor in sustaining the fight against insurgency,” Zulum said. He assured the president of the governors’ continued partnership in consolidating these gains.

The delegation stressed that security and development must go hand in hand. They pledged to align with federal initiatives aimed at manpower training, deployment of technology, and agricultural expansion. According to Zulum, empowering local communities and harnessing modern technology is the surest path to dislodging insurgents from the forests and replacing conflict with sustainable livelihoods.

Analysts note that while security has improved, sporadic attacks remain a concern. The governors’ stance suggests they view federal support as crucial to sustaining peace, which is the bedrock for the ambitious infrastructural and economic projects proposed.

Presidential Response

In his response, President Tinubu acknowledged the concerns raised by the governors and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the North East. He praised the unity of the governors, assuring them that their demands would be prioritized within the framework of national development planning.

The president emphasized that the region, having borne the brunt of insurgency for over a decade, deserves accelerated recovery efforts. He welcomed the call for collaboration and promised that his government would “leave behind lasting legacies and landmarks for the country, especially in regions that have suffered neglect.”

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism. Both sides agreed on the need for continuous engagement, with the North East Governors Forum pledging full support for Tinubu’s agenda while pressing for swift federal action on their requests. For many in the region, the visit rekindles hope that long-awaited infrastructure and economic transformation may finally be within reach.