Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has hosted thousands of Kanuri kinsmen from at least 10 African countries at the 2025 Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit in Maiduguri.
The summit brought together 161 emirs, senior government officials, and large delegations of Kanuri people from Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, Central African Republic, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin.
The gathering was aimed at rebuilding transnational kinship ties rooted in shared Kanuri identity and strengthening collective efforts toward peace, development, and cultural preservation.
Cultural dance performances and traditional displays by contingents from different countries highlighted the diversity and unity of Kanuri heritage across borders.
The Kanem-Borno Empire, which flourished for over 1,000 years between the 9th and 19th centuries, once spanned parts of present-day Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Libya around the Lake Chad Basin.
Speaking in the Kanuri language on Thursday, Zulum urged participants to prioritize educational exchange, entrepreneurial partnerships, and socio-economic initiatives to uplift Kanuri communities globally.
The governor announced scholarships for 150 students from countries that formed the old Kanem-Borno Empire as part of efforts to strengthen unity and fraternity among Kanuri people.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno was represented at the event by the Governor of Lac Province, Major General Saleh Haggar Tidjani.
Addressing the summit, Mai Mala Buni described the event as a reawakening of the rich civilization and cultural heritage of the historic Kanem-Borno Empire.
Buni said the celebration served as a bridge between generations and an opportunity to harness culture for peace, stability, and regional development.
He reminded participants of the moral responsibilities of leadership, the role of parents, and the need for discipline among youths as future leaders.
The Yobe governor recalled that Kanem-Borno was historically renowned for Quranic memorization, Islamic scholarship, trade, and agriculture, making it a major center of learning in West Africa.
Buni decried the erosion of communal values and mutual responsibility that once defined Kanem-Borno society.
He also expressed concern over rising social media conflicts among religious clerics, warning that such actions could fuel division rather than unity.
The governor called on stakeholders to explore cultural assets such as horse racing, traditional caps, and local cuisines to promote tourism, create jobs, and support sustainable peace and economic growth in the region.
The summit was held under the theme ‘Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability’.
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