North-East Governors Urge Federal Government to Revive Borno Oil Exploration

Meeting in Maiduguri, the North-East Governors’ Forum called on the federal government to revive oil exploration in Borno State while reviewing regional security, infrastructure projects, and a ₦30 billion regional airline financing plan ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governors from the six North-Eastern states gathered on Saturday in Maiduguri for the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum.

Governors Urge Oil Exploration in Borno State

During the summit, the governors urged the federal government to restart frontier oil exploration specifically within the Magumeri and Gubio local government areas of Borno State. The appeal was led by Forum vice-chairman and Adamawa State Governor Rt. Hon. Umaru Fintiri. At the same time, the regional leaders commended the ongoing revival of the Kolmani oil drilling project in Gombe State, which officials view as a cornerstone for future regional industrialization.

While Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya noted that the Kolmani exploration holds great promise, he cautioned that those expectations must translate into tangible production, jobs, and revenue for residents. The forum also welcomed federal attention directed toward other major transport arteries, including the Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri rail corridor and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri highway.

North-East Governors Urge Federal Government to Revive Borno Oil Exploration — Photo: Peoples Gazette Nigeria

Six States Fund Regional Air Carrier

Governor Yahaya disclosed that the six states agreed on a N30 billion financing plan, with each state contributing N5 billion, to establish the carrier.

Complementing the aviation initiative, the forum partnered with Green Ville Energy to build and operate more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations throughout the region. Energy cooperation also extends to the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant, which now feeds electricity directly into the national grid under the framework of the new Electricity Act. In addition, the forum called on federal authorities to expedite the finalization of the Mambila Hydropower Plant following the resolution of legal hurdles via arbitration, while advising state governments to utilize their ample solar potential for scaling up mini-grid projects.

BREAKING: Zulum Urges FG to Revive Oil Exploration in Borno

Leaders Call for Long Term Recovery from Insurgency

At the opening of the gathering, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum pointed out that prolonged displacement and ruined means of subsistence have generated widespread humanitarian crises throughout the area, and said populations must move from temporary assistance toward long-term recovery and growth.

Despite acknowledging appreciable successes in the ongoing fight against insurgency and praising the sacrifices of the Armed Forces, Governor Yahaya and other forum leaders pointed out that significant dangers and infrastructural hurdles still persist across the subregion.

“Boko Haram has been weakened but not defeated, and we still see attacks on our communities.”

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, via National Accord Newspaper

The governors reaffirmed their commitment to intelligence sharing, inter-state security cooperation, addressing illegal mining, and combating the socioeconomic drivers that expose young people to extremist recruitment. Acknowledging that the North-East features one of the nation’s most youthful demographics, the leadership resolved to focus on advancing youth-oriented initiatives such as superior schooling, skill acquisition, enterprise programs, and digital career opportunities.