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Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
… Says he won’t leave debt for successor
… Lists 46 targets to achieve in 2024
By:Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Wednesday, presented a budget of N340 billion for the 2024 fiscal year from which Health, Education and works received major allocations.
Health was allocated N51b, Education N39b, while N45b was allocated to Works and Housing.
Tagged “Budget of Consolidation and Progress” a total of N198,293,223,000 was allocated for capital expenditure while N142,326,613,000.00 was allocated for recurrent expenditure.
The budget, Zulum noted, will be financed from the recurrent revenue of N206,803,053,000.00 which comprises FAAC revenue and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and capital receipts of N128,816,783,000.00, comprising of Aid and Grant as well as capital development funds.
According to the sectoral allocations, the Ministry of Finance got N53b allocated for its capital and recurrent expenditures including debt servicing, salary payment and gratuities to the retirees.
Other sectors like the Ministry of Agriculture got N13b, Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement got N20b, Ministry of Water Resources got N9.7b and Ministry of Information and Internal Security got N9.6b.
Various amounts were allocated to all other sectors as well.
Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, commended Governor Zulum for his achievements over the years.
He assured the Governor of the State Assembly’s resolve and commitment to pass the appropriation bill on time.
… I won’t leave debt for my successor, Governor Zulum
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has promised to ensure that whoever is to succeed him will not be inheriting debts owed by the state government.
Zulum said he plans to clear all debts before the end of the ongoing second term.
“As we are gradually exiting from office, I plan to ensure that, insha’Allah, I’ll leave a clean slate to the incoming administration. I want to ensure that we pay all debts so that anybody who is taking over from me will have a clean slate to begin. May Almighty in his mercy, help us”, Zulum said.
… Lists 46 targets to achieve in 2024
Also as part of his budget presentation, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum took time to list out 46 deliverables he plans to achieve in the 2024 fiscal year which cuts across various sectors.
Most of the 46 deliverables are projects which are to be sited at listed locations.
The 46 deliverables also include some programmes.
Our 46 targets for 2024
- We plan to construct Eye Hospitals in Monguno and Biu
- We plan to establish Dental Hospitals in Monguno and Biu
- We plan to establish an Orthopaedic Hospital in Maiduguri.
- We plan to construct teachers and health workers quarters in Magumeri (200 numbers of 2 bedrooms)
- We plan to construct teachers and health workers’ quarters in Gubio (200 units of 2 bedrooms).
- We plan to construct Teachers Quarters in Biu (100 units)
- We plan to construct Teachers Quarters in Hawul (100 units)
- We plan to establish an oil processing mill in Gubio.
- We plan to establish School of Nursing in Monguno
- We plan to establish a school of nursing in Gwoza.
- We will establish high Islamic colleges in Baga, Gajiganna, Gajiram, Benisheik, Gwoza, and Chibok.
- Upgrading of General Hospital Molai and Infectious Hospital Ngarranam to Specialist Hospitals
- We plan to construct an additional 3 mega schools in Gwozari: Kalari, Mairi, and Uba.
- We plan to establish secondary schools in Rann, New Marte and Ngala.
- We plan to construct ICT centres in Baga, Kaga, Damboa and Hawul.
- Construction of Government Lodges in Dikwa, New Marte, Briyel and Kwaya
- Erosion Control in Bargu, Shani, Uba, Fikeyel and Gandu
- Mega-Water works in Bama, Gubio, Gajiganna, Magumeri and Damboa.
- Establishment of irrigation systems in Mafa, Dikwa, Gajibo, Logumane, Ngamboru-Wullgo and resuscitation of irrigation projects in Jafi and Damasak.
- Electrification of Gwoza, Dikwa, Damask, Nganzai, Askira, Chibok, and Damboa
- Procurement of equipment worth N10 billion to the State University Teaching Hospital and completion
- Provision of scholarships to 600 indigenous people to study nursing and midwifery courses
- Sponsorship of 100 students in various fields of study, especially Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses, languages, and training of 20 pilots
- Construction of a New Market in Maiduguri
- Support of N5 billion for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and less-privileged
- Settlement of 25% of Gratuities owed by States and Local Governments
- Training of 50% of our teachers
- Reconstruction of the International Hotel and Completion of the State Hotel
- Establishment of the Wire and Nail Industry
- Construction of an International Conference Hall
- Construction of Gunda-Miringa Road
- Construction of Mega Shopping Complexes in Ngala, Nganzai, Monguno, and Marte
- Rehabilitation of Damboa Road
- Construction of 500 Houses in Dalwa: 500 Darajamal, 500 Mainti and Aulari and Maiwa
- Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) back to Ala, Kaje, Sabon Gari, Dalwa, Kirawa, Jamteke, Modube, Bita, Sabon Gari Hambagda, Kekeno, Daushe, Bundir, Malum-Fatori, Gulumbali and Kareto
- Establishment of secondary schools and junior secondary schools in various locations in the state
- Closure of Muna and Madinatu IDP Camp
- Flag-off of the construction of Rann-Kala Road
- Construction of the Road from Baga to Fish Dam
- Construction of the Flyover at the West-End Roundabout
- Construction of 9 Mega Dams across the State
- Construction of One Rehabilitation Centre
- Construction of the Eastern Byepass from Auno-GubioRoad
- Construction of Dual Carriage Roads:
- from Shehu’s Roundabout, Lawan Bukar-Flour Mill, Herwa Peace, Songhai and Agip Roads.
- Monday Market-Kofa Biyu and Idrissa Khadi-Gamboru Markets Roads
- We plan to construct a dual carriageway from Polo High Court Road to Molai.
- We plan to build a modern international conference centre.
Borno’s N340b budget: Zulum allocates big shares to Health, Education, Works
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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