Zulum leads N/East governors to Tinubu, requests completion of 17 roads, oil exploration
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum led a delegation of North East governors to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, focused on pressing for urgent federal intervention to complete 17 strategic road projects in the North East region and to revive oil exploration activities, particularly in Kolmani and Lake Chad.
Governor Zulum, who chairs the North East Governors Forum, highlighted key road projects needing attention, such as the Kano–Maiduguri Road, Bama–Mubi–Yola Road, and Maiduguri–Monguno–Baga Road, among others.
They also urged prioritization of the Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri railway line to boost regional commerce.
The governors expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s efforts in stabilizing the region and continuing counter-insurgency operations.
They reaffirmed support for his “Renewed Hope Agenda,” including manpower training, technological deployment against insecurity, and agricultural development.
The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, focused on critical issues affecting the North East, including urgent completion of 17 vital road projects and the resumption of oil exploration in the frontier wells, particularly the Kolmani and Lake Chad wells.
Other governors in attendance included Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Bala Muhammad of Bauchi, Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa and Agbu Keffas of Taraba.
Delivering his address during the meeting, Zulum, who is also the chairman of the North East Governors Forum, urged the president to complete the ongoing road projects and build critical roads connecting the six states of the zone.
The roads are Kano-Maiduguri Road, Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Maiduguri Railway line, Bama-Mubi-Yola Road, Wukari-Jalingo-Yola Road, Duguri-Mansur Road (NNPC Project Ongoing), Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Damaturu Road, Damaturu-Geidam Road, Bauchi-Ningi-Nasaru-Babaldo Road and Gombe-Potiskum, Damaturu-Biu Roads.
Others include Alkaleri-Futuk Road, Maiduguri-Damboa-Yola Road, Gombe-Dukku-Darazo Road, Biu-Gombe Road, Ibi-Shamdam Road, Maiduguri-Monguno-Baga Road and Maiduguri-Ngala-Bama-Banki Roads
Governor Zulum commended the president for the commitment to restoring peace within the northeast, stating, “We thank you for fostering peace and stability within the sub-region and continuing with the initiative of your predecessor in sustaining the fight against insurgency.
He assured the president of their commitment to his administration’s initiative on training of manpower and providing technology with a view to reversing the insecurity facing the North East.
“We are fully aligning with Mr. President’s good initiative of training of manpower and providing technology with a view to reversing the ugly trend in the forest, thereby reducing the insurgency and promoting agricultural development in alignment with the renewed hope agenda on food security,” Zulum said.
He added, “Mr President, the North East governors hold you in high esteem and all of us have resolved to partner with you in your determination to provide good governance for Nigeria with a view to leaving behind lasting legacies and landmarks for the country.”
President Tinubu acknowledged their concerns and assured commitment to addressing the developmental needs of the region. Other governors present included those from Gombe, Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa, and Taraba states.
