NORTH-EAST GOVERNORS URGE TINUBU TO REVIVE STALLED OIL EXPLORATION IN BORNO
Governors of the six North-East states have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to revive oil exploration activities that were previously commenced but later stalled in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The call was made at the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum, held in Maiduguri, Borno State, on October 2 and 3, 2026, with regional security, economic development and infrastructure among the issues discussed.
Borno State Governor and Chairman of the forum, Babagana Zulum, made the appeal while addressing his fellow governors during the meeting.
Zulum commended the Federal Government for renewed efforts to revive exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State, describing the project as an opportunity to unlock new economic possibilities for the North-East.
According to the governor, renewed oil exploration could create employment, stimulate infrastructure development and broaden the revenue base of states and communities in the region.
He urged the Federal Government to extend the same attention to Borno State, particularly the areas of Magumeri and Gubio, where earlier exploration activities had been halted.
“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,” Zulum said.
The governor said responsible exploration and development of natural resources could complement ongoing reconstruction efforts in Borno, strengthen local economies and help restore livelihoods in communities affected by years of insecurity.
Zulum also linked renewed exploration in the North-East to broader economic diversification, saying development of the region’s oil and gas resources could provide employment and sustainable opportunities for its growing population.
The North-East Governors’ Forum has previously called for renewed exploration in frontier areas, including the Lake Chad Basin and the Kolmani field. The latest appeal specifically highlights the stalled activities in Magumeri and Gubio in Borno State.
The push comes as the region continues to recover from more than a decade of insurgency, which disrupted economic activities, displaced communities and affected infrastructure development across several North-Eastern states.
Zulum said economic recovery should go alongside reconstruction and livelihood restoration, particularly for communities that have experienced prolonged insecurity.
The governors also discussed security during the meeting, acknowledging improvements in the region while stressing the need for continued cooperation among the states and security agencies.
They called for stronger inter-state intelligence sharing, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging security threats, while also stressing the need to address socio-economic conditions that could expose young people to exploitation by criminal and extremist groups.
Other issues discussed at the meeting included education, healthcare, transportation, energy and regional infrastructure.
The governors resolved to establish a regional air shuttle aimed at improving movement between states and reducing transportation costs. They also agreed to work with Green Ville Energy to expand compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas stations across the region.
The forum also welcomed Federal Government support through the North-East Development Commission for the provision of electric tricycles, electric buses and electric taxis, while urging continued investment in infrastructure and education.
The governors further called for renewed attention to the Mambila Hydropower Project and encouraged member states to take advantage of opportunities created by Nigeria’s electricity reforms and the region’s solar potential.
The meeting brought together representatives from all six North-East states, including Governors Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe and Babagana Zulum of Borno, while Bauchi and Yobe were represented by their deputy governors.
Street News Reporters reports that the governors’ renewed request places the stalled oil exploration projects in Magumeri and Gubio back on the Federal Government’s development agenda, as the North-East seeks to use natural resources, infrastructure and economic investment to accelerate regional recovery.
