Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured investors that Maiduguri is ready for business, highlighting the city’s improved security, strategic location, and investment potential.
The governor made the remarks on Monday at the 2025 Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Annual Aviation Conference in Lagos, themed ‘Elevating the Nigerian Aviation Industry through Investment, Partnership and Global Engagements.’
He described Borno State as a commercial gateway bordering Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, with short flight hours to Europe and the Middle East.
“Borno State is strategically positioned in the shores of the Lake Chad, close to the Sahel region and bordering three countries of Chad, Cameroon and Niger republics,” he said.
He further noted the convenience of air travel from Maiduguri, adding,”‘Maiduguri the state capital is close to Europe; you can leave Maiduguri and reach Malaga, Spain in three and a half hours. From Maiduguri to Jidda, Saudi Arabia is three hours flight; within two hours you can reach Sudan and Algeria.”
He announced that Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri will soon be inaugurated for international operations and encouraged investors to seize the opportunities in the state.
“I want to inform investors that Maiduguri is safer than Lagos and Abuja. I mean it. You can move freely in the city without apprehension. We have a lot of opportunities,” Zulum stated.
The governor also revealed that Maiduguri dry port will soon become operational and that the federal government has approved the operation of a Free Trade Zone.
He promised to establish a mega industrial hub near the new international airport to create an enabling environment for investors.
Governor Zulum commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Aviation, the FAAN Managing Director, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the aviation sector.
