MY VISIT TO BORNO STATE: A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF GOVERNANCE, REBUILDING, AND HOPE UNDER GOVERNOR, (PROF) BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM

MY VISIT TO BORNO STATE: A PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF GOVERNANCE, REBUILDING, AND HOPE UNDER GOVERNOR, (PROF) BABAGANA UMARA ZULUM

By: Mohammed Shakur Yunusa
+2348113382340
Abuja, Nigeria

When I decided to visit Borno State, I carried with me the memories of a region often defined by the headlines that have shaped national and global perceptions for over a decade. The story of Borno State has frequently been a story of pain, conflict and displacement. Yet, as my journey unfolded,

I encountered a different narrative. It was the story of a people determined to live again, of communities picking up the pieces of their interrupted lives, and of a governor whose leadership has become a rallying point for renewal. What I witnessed across the state convinced me that Borno State is navigating one of the most ambitious post-conflict reconstruction efforts in modern Nigerian history.

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This visit introduced me to another side of Borno State. A side defined not by despair but by resilience. A side driven by large-scale public investments that have touched every sector of life. I toured schools, visited health facilities, observed resettled communities and interacted with young people whose dreams now have a clearer path.

As I moved from Maiduguri to different local government areas, one theme became unavoidable. Borno State under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is rebuilding with purpose, discipline and speed, and the evidence is everywhere.

Reviving Minds and Restoring Futures: Education and Human Capital Development.

My journey officially began in the heart of Maiduguri, where I visited one of the now-famous mega schools. Standing in front of the imposing modern structure, I struggled to reconcile what I saw with the stories I had heard for years about the destruction of schools across the state. These mega schools are not ordinary secondary schools.

They have science laboratories that would impress any educational planner, well-equipped ICT centres, proper libraries, and sporting facilities that give students a balanced learning experience. Many classrooms are spacious, brightly painted and furnished with modern desks.

In a state where thousands of children lost years of education because of insurgency, these schools represent more than physical structures. They represent hope.

It was explained to me that as of November 2025, Borno State had completed one hundred and four of these mega schools, with thirty-six more under construction.

This is part of what the governor describes as an education revolution, an intentional programme aimed at rebuilding what was lost and providing children with a system that is significantly better than what existed before the crisis.

I was told of the six new secondary schools inaugurated in one event under the Build Back Better strategy. Walking through their corridors, I could see the evidence of this philosophy. Brand new laboratories,
Digital classrooms. Sports centres. Teachers who spoke with pride about the transformation occurring under their watch.

Beyond the schools themselves, the state has made huge strides in ensuring quality staffing and teacher motivation. During my tour, officials noted that more than four thousand teachers had been recruited under the governor’s administration.

This number is significant considering the enormous shortage of educational personnel that followed the years of insurgency. The impact of this recruitment drive is visible in the classrooms. Teachers appeared motivated, attentive and prepared. Even more impressive is the state’s investment in scholarships. Since taking office, Governor Zulum has approved over four billion naira in scholarships for both local and foreign studies.

Many young people I interacted with expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity. They spoke of how these scholarships had opened doors previously unimaginable to them.

The state’s Ministry of Education reported that by 2024, the administration had completed one hundred and twenty-four educational projects, ranging from mega schools to rehabilitation of existing classrooms. When placed in context, these efforts underline a compelling truth. In a region where schooling infrastructure was one of the earliest and hardest hit casualties of insurgency, this scale of investment is not only commendable but vital.

The governor’s strategy shows an understanding that human capital development is not optional. It is the foundation upon which lasting peace, innovation and economic recovery will be built.

Provisions of Teachers’ Quarters Furnished with Modern Facilities
When I arrived at one of the newly built teachers’ quarters a young teacher named Maryam walked me through her furnished apartment with visible pride. She told me that before this project many teachers lived far away from their schools and struggled daily with long commutes. Now she enjoys stable solar powered electricity, clean water and a modern kitchen. I also met a group of teachers relaxing in the communal area and they explained how the secure surroundings and comfortable accommodation had boosted their morale and encouraged many to remain in rural schools.

As I moved around the compound I could see why. Spacious rooms, well designed sanitary facilities and recreational spaces created an environment that felt safe and dignified. Community leaders confirmed that teacher absenteeism had reduced drastically because educators now live closer to their duty posts.

It became clear to me that this initiative is not merely a housing project. It is a strategic investment in education that strengthens classroom stability across the state. Many teachers told me that for the first time they feel appreciated and motivated. Their enthusiasm reflected the wider impact of a programme that is reshaping the learning landscape in Borno State.

Health Services, Clean Water and Social Welfare:

Restoring Human Dignity
From the schools, my tour extended into the health sector. It is impossible to appreciate the enormity of Borno State’s reconstruction efforts without examining its healthcare strategy. The state government has embarked on an expansive programme to rebuild and upgrade health facilities across every senatorial zone. I visited primary healthcare centres that had been rehabilitated and equipped with solar power systems to ensure a reliable electricity supply. Many centres now have modern examination rooms, maternity wards, drug stores and administrative offices.

One compelling example of this government’s responsiveness came from the 2024 flooding crisis. Severe floods ravaged many communities and severely disrupted water supply systems across Maiduguri and nearby localities. In response, the governor approved eight hundred and fifty million naira for the rehabilitation and upgrading of boreholes.

Many of the older boreholes were converted to hybrid solar-powered systems to ensure sustainability. Fifty new upper aquifer boreholes were drilled, with additional lower aquifer systems introduced in other areas.

The result of this intervention is evident. Communities that once struggled for clean water now have access to it more reliably.

During my interaction with one community leader in Jere, he remarked that the restoration of potable water was not simply a convenience.

It was a return of dignity. For months after the flood, many families had been forced to fetch water from unsafe sources.

Today, those families watch their children drink clean water again. Health officials confirmed that as water access improved, cases of water-borne diseases reduced significantly.

The state’s healthcare reconstruction includes general hospitals, eye and dental hospitals, and newly built or upgraded primary healthcare centres. The supply of essential drugs, medical equipment and staffing support is ongoing. It became clear that this administration sees public health not just as a service but as a cornerstone for rebuilding society. In regions affected by conflict, disease often spreads easily due to displacement, overcrowding and poor sanitation. Borno’s comprehensive investment in health infrastructure is therefore an essential part of stabilising the state and enabling people to resume normal lives.

Health Care System Upgrades:
Staff Quarters for Doctors

At the State Specialist Hospital I met a young doctor who invited me into the newly constructed staff quarters. He spoke passionately about how living close to the hospital has improved emergency response times. Another doctor explained that before the new housing many of them travelled long distances daily which affected their ability to attend to late night emergencies. Now they rest better and work more efficiently. A nurse I spoke with confirmed that night shifts have become smoother because doctors are readily available.

Walking through the quarters I noticed the clean washrooms, functional kitchens and steady power supply that the staff pointed out with pride. In one of the remote local government areas a community elder told me that maternal deaths have reduced because medical staff are consistently present.

This project has clearly improved morale and strengthened the reliability of health services. It is evident that by investing in the welfare of medical professionals the governor has ensured improved quality of care and restored confidence in public health facilities across the state.
Housing, Infrastructure and the Face of Modern Borno State.

My visit also took me through several housing estates and infrastructure projects completed by this administration. The scale is overwhelming. Officials reported that more than one thousand two hundred and thirty-eight capital projects had been completed across all twenty-seven local government areas. I saw long stretches of well-paved urban roads in Maiduguri, modern flyovers and expansive dual carriageways that have transformed the city’s landscape.

For a state that once battled with mobility challenges due to insecurity and damaged roads, these developments are profoundly symbolic.

One striking project is the Shehu Abubakar Garbai Expressway. Its smooth lanes and improved traffic flow illustrate how far the state has come. The Borno Express Flyover is another landmark that adds an air of modernity to Maiduguri. Local motorists spoke proudly about how travel time has reduced and how businesses now move goods more easily. Roads that had once been nightmares are now routes of convenience.

Housing development is also central to the state’s rebuilding plan. During the height of the insurgency, many communities were displaced, leaving thousands without shelter. In response, the state government embarked on a large-scale housing programme. I visited one of the model housing estates built for returnees and displaced families.

Rows of neatly constructed houses stood side by side, each equipped with basic amenities. Children played freely in the open spaces. Women sat in front of their homes chatting. It was the image of normal life returning.

I learned that more than thirty thousand model houses have been built under this administration. These houses are not temporary shelters. They are permanent homes designed to help families rebuild their lives with dignity. They embody the state’s commitment to ensuring that the people of Borno are not only resettled but resettled properly.

Every Street Tarred and Equipped with Drainage Systems
As I toured Maiduguri and later travelled through several local government areas I could not help but notice the uniform pattern of tarred streets and drainage systems.

A trader in Monday Market told me that transport of goods is now easier because the roads no longer flood during the rainy season.

A farmer I met along the Gubio axis echoed similar sentiments and explained that he can now move produce to markets without fear of washed out roads. School children I spoke with at a roadside junction said their walk to school has become safer and cleaner.

The drainage channels I observed in various communities have noticeably improved sanitation as residents reported fewer cases of stagnant water and mosquito infestations. In rural villages where access roads were once impassable residents now enjoy smooth entry and exit routes.

These voices revealed a shared sense of relief and appreciation for infrastructure that has truly changed daily life. The improved road network has enhanced mobility, business activity and environmental cleanliness across the state.

Subsidized Public Transport and the New Fleet of Vehicles.

My conversations with commuters revealed the impact of the governor’s decision to purchase about three hundred electric vehicles and luxury buses for subsidized transportation. A student at the Borno Express terminal told me that her daily transport cost has dropped dramatically.

A civil servant I interviewed said the buses are more comfortable and reliable than older vehicles. Drivers working with the system praised the modern fleet which has lowered breakdown rates.

The use of electric vehicles has particularly impressed many residents who say they now experience quieter and cleaner trips. The subsidized rates benefit traders and low income earners who rely on public transport for their livelihoods.

The fleet has improved movement across urban and rural areas making transportation both affordable and efficient. Through these voices I understood how transformative this initiative has been for everyday life in Borno State.

Incredible Development Projects in Every Local Government Area.

During my tour I made it a point to ask residents in different local government areas about the number of completed or ongoing projects. In each place the responses were consistent. People cited new schools, staff quarters, boreholes, markets and health centres.

A community leader in Kala Balge told me that for the first time in decades their locality feels included in state level development. In Gwoza, for example, a group of youth expressed gratitude for the vocational training centre recently completed in their area. These accounts confirmed that governor Zulum’s policy of ensuring at least ten projects in every local government is not mere political talk. It is a visible and measurable reality that even remote communities have begun to enjoy.

Economic Empowerment and Youth Development:

Expanding Opportunities
One of the most remarkable aspects of my visit was my interaction with the youth. There is an energy in Borno State that reflects a community eager to learn, to innovate and to contribute. In several vocational institutes across the senatorial zones, young people were undergoing training in carpentry, welding, tailoring, computing, digital skills and mechanical work.

The state’s investments in vocational education are deliberate efforts to create a skilled workforce capable of participating in the rebuilding economy.

In one institute, I met a young woman who had completed a programme in fashion design. She showed me a set of beautifully sewn outfits and explained that she had received her sewing machine as part of a government empowerment package. She spoke passionately about how this opportunity had lifted her from hopelessness to self-reliance.

What struck me even more deeply was the governor’s recent approval for the sponsorship of indigent youths in high-value fields such as piloting and aeronautical engineering.

Young people who never imagined they could pursue such careers are now preparing to study in universities and flight schools. Their excitement is contagious, and their gratitude to the state is genuine.

The 2025 budget, which prioritises health, education and economic recovery, reflects an administration that understands the link between social welfare and stability. By investing in young people, the state is effectively building a future workforce that can sustain development long after the current administration.

Security, Reconstruction and Community Resettlement;

No visit to Borno State is complete without reflecting on the security situation and the massive reconstruction efforts tied to it. The impact of insurgency on the state cannot be overstated.

Entire towns were emptied. Schools, markets, hospitals and homes were destroyed. Lives were uprooted. For years, Borno State represented one of the most severe humanitarian crises in Africa.

Yet, what I encountered during my visit is a determined programme of reconstruction. Officials told me that over one thousand two hundred tangible projects have been executed to facilitate resettlement.

These include houses, schools, healthcare centres and public buildings. Resettled communities in towns such as Bama, Gwoza, Dikwa and Gamboru are rebuilding social life. Markets are reopening.

Farmers are returning to their lands. Children are going back to school.
An important component of this strategy involves rehabilitation and reintegration. Although still evolving, the state’s efforts in helping former insurgents reintegrate into communities are part of broader peace building.

Without reintegration, long-term peace becomes difficult. Local leaders I spoke with acknowledged that the process is sensitive but essential.

The rebuilding of the civil service is another noteworthy effort. Years of conflict disrupted administrative systems and weakened institutions. Governor Zulum’s administration has been intentional in restoring professionalism, restructuring ministries and enhancing governance capacity. These institutional reforms are crucial for ensuring that reconstruction gains are sustained.

Digital Governance and Innovation: A Modern State Emerging;

One unexpected highlight of my visit was my exposure to the digital transformation taking place across the state. In 2025, Governor Zulum received the Digital Governor of the Year award, and my tour helped me understand why. The state has embraced the use of technology to make governance more efficient and transparent. Digital dashboard systems help the government monitor projects in real time.

E-governance platforms allow citizens to submit complaints, request documents and access welfare programmes more easily.

The biometric verification system for civil servants has reportedly reduced ghost workers and improved salary accuracy. Many schools now integrate ICT education into their curriculum. When I visited a computer laboratory in one of the mega schools, students were learning basic coding and digital literacy. This is a major step for a state emerging from conflict.

Digital tools are strengthening trust between the government and its people, while also modernising public administration.

Healing Beyond Infrastructure:

Community Cohesion and Soft Power
The story of Borno State under Governor Zulum is not only a story of buildings, roads and budgets. It is also a story of emotional healing and social cohesion. One of the most symbolic examples occurred in November 2025 when the governor called for a statewide day of fasting and prayer.

Residents from different religious backgrounds participated, united by a shared desire for peace and divine protection. Many citizens told me that this call created a sense of togetherness at a time when the state needed it most.
Social welfare programmes, pension reforms, community empowerment strategies and educational inclusion efforts are all part of a holistic approach to rebuilding.

The aim is not just to restore structures but to restore trust, dignity and community life. In my interactions with people from different local government areas, I sensed a growing confidence that Borno is on a path of recovery that prioritises human beings as much as infrastructure.

A Personal Reflection: The Borno State Newness;

As my visit drew to a close, I sat quietly near the shores of Alau Dam, watching fishermen cast their nets into the calm waters. The serenity of that moment was a stark contrast to the images of conflict that once dominated this region.

I realised that Borno’s story is changing and that Nigerians need to pay attention.
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum is leading a complex state through one of the most difficult rebuilding processes in our national history.

His governance style is defined by presence, discipline, courage and compassion. The projects I saw were not theoretical promises. They were real, tangible and functioning. The faces of the children in the mega schools, the relieved expressions of women collecting clean water, the pride of returnee families living in new homes, and the excitement of youths preparing for global careers all tell a story that cannot be captured by political commentary alone.

It is the story of a state choosing to rise.
My visit transformed my understanding of Borno State. It taught me that even in places long associated with tragedy, renewal is possible when leadership is intentional and people are resilient. Borno State today is not perfect, Challenges remain.

Some communities still need more support. Security concerns persist in pockets. Yet, the direction is unmistakable. Borno State is rebuilding, and it is doing so with remarkable speed and sincerity.

As I left the state, one thought stayed with me. Nigeria needs to recognise and learn from what is happening in Borno State. Beyond politics, beyond headlines, beyond assumptions. The story of Borno State is a story of deliberate governance, human-centred leadership and a people rediscovering their strength.

It is a story worth telling. It is a story worth celebrating. And it is a story still unfolding.

My visit revealed that the development in Borno State is not just seen. It is felt, lived and spoken about by the people whose lives are being reshaped daily.