The North-East Governors' Forum (NEGF) has made significant progress in establishing a regional airline, with ₦10.8 billion raised in counterpart funding. This development was announced by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, during the opening ceremony of the 10th meeting of the North East Governors' Forum in Maiduguri. The funds will be used to launch a regional air shuttle, improving connectivity within the sub-region.
According to Mr. Zulum, the balance of the counterpart fund will be remitted before the end of the month, enabling the immediate rollout of flight operations. He expressed optimism that the establishment of the North East Air Shuttle will significantly improve connectivity within the sub-region. The airline is expected to commence operations soon, with the governors of the North-east region contributing to the counterpart funding.
The North East Air Shuttle is one of several regional development drives coordinated under the forum. Other initiatives include the establishment of 10-megawatt solar power plants in each of the six member states, modernising livestock systems, and procuring nearly 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) and e-tricycles. These projects aim to drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Mr. Zulum also commended President Bola Tinubu for reviving oil exploration activities at the Kolmani oilfield in Bauchi State. The project is expected to create jobs, develop infrastructure, and expand the revenue base for host communities. He urged the federal government to extend exploration efforts into other prospective locations across the region.
The federal government's $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project was also highlighted as a crucial initiative for the North-east. The project aims to support a region recovering from over a decade of insurgency, displacement, and humanitarian dependency. Mr. Zulum stressed the need to move from relief to recovery and sustainable prosperity.
Security improvements in the region were attributed to the sacrifices of the Nigerian armed forces, inter-state cooperation, and non-kinetic interventions. Mr. Zulum warned against complacency, emphasising that security remains a prerequisite for economic transformation, healthcare delivery, and educational development. Programmes like the Safe Corridor Initiative have facilitated the surrender and rehabilitation of repentant insurgents.
In conclusion, Mr. Zulum urged regional leaders to remain focused on translating policy discussions into measurable outcomes for residents across the six states. He emphasised that the people expect results, including security, roads, schools, hospitals, jobs, and economies that enable families to prosper. The 10th meeting of the North East Governors' Forum brought together state governors, federal officials, and key regional stakeholders to deliberate on shared economic, humanitarian, and security strategies.
Key points
- North-east governors have raised ₦10.8 billion for a regional airline.
- The airline aims to improve connectivity within the sub-region.
- The project is part of several regional development drives coordinated under the North-East Governors' Forum.
