Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has appealed to the Federal Government to restart oil exploration activities in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Zulum made the appeal on Saturday during the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum, which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.
The two-day meeting, which commenced on October 2 and ends on October 3, 2026, brought together governors from the six North-Eastern states to discuss regional development, security and economic cooperation.
In his address, Zulum said the return of oil exploration in the North-East, especially in Kolmani and the Lake Chad Basin, remained an important part of efforts to revive the region’s economy.
He said, “Distinguished colleagues, I wish to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government’s continued commitment to the development of the North-East.
“We particularly welcome the renewed efforts towards reviving exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State. The revival of this important project represents more than an investment in the oil and gas sector; it offers an opportunity to unlock new economic possibilities, create employment, stimulate infrastructure development and broaden the revenue base of our states and communities.”
The forum chairman, however, called for similar attention to Borno State’s oil fields, saying the revival of exploration there could complement military operations and speed up development across the sub-region.
He stressed that renewed Federal Government backing for oil exploration in Kolmani and the Lake Chad Basin would support economic diversification in the region and provide much-needed employment opportunities.
“In the same spirit, we respectfully urge the Federal Government to revisit the exploration activities earlier commenced but subsequently stalled in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State,” he said.
“Responsible exploration and development of our natural resources can complement ongoing reconstruction efforts, strengthen local economies, restore livelihoods and create sustainable opportunities for our rapidly growing population,” Zulum stated.
Also speaking, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, highlighted some achievements recorded since the forum was established, including the creation of the North-East Education Council.
He said, “Our states are addressing the Almajiri and out-of-school children challenge through practical models, from Borno’s Tsangaya Commission to Taraba’s Almajiri Model Education Centres and our own Integrated Almajiri Education Centres in Gombe. Our Commissioners of Health also came together in 2024 to form a regional health platform to increase intra-regional responsiveness and share best practices.”
Other governors present were Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe. The governors of Bauchi and Yobe states were represented by their deputies at the meeting.
