North-east governors raise ₦10.8 billion to form regional airline

The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has raised ₦10.8 billion in counterpart funding to launch a regional air shuttle, as a step toward establishing the proposed “North East Airline”.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this on Friday during the opening ceremony of the 10th meeting of the North East Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri.

Addressing member-state governors and regional leaders, Mr Zulum stated that the balance of the counterpart fund will be remitted before the end of the month to enable the immediate rollout of the flight operations.

“The establishment of the North East Air Shuttle is a significant step towards improving connectivity within the sub-region, and we look forward to the commencement of these operations soon,” Mr Zulum said.

“To this end, ₦10.8 billion has been realised as counterpart contributions from the governors of the North-east region. Insha Allah, the remaining counterpart funds shall be received before the end of this month, this year, with a view to actualising our dream of having the North East Air Shuttle.”

He urged member states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe—to consolidate their commitments and work in unison to ensure the smooth take-off of the regional carrier.

Oil Exploration, $1 billion poverty fund, and security gains

Beyond the regional aviation framework, Mr Zulum highlighted key federal government interventions and economic initiatives aimed at driving recovery in the conflict-affected region.

Resumption of oil exploration

The forum chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for reviving oil exploration activities at the Kolmani oilfield in Bauchi State.

He noted that the project extends beyond oil and gas investments, offering a path toward job creation, infrastructure development, and an expanded revenue base for host communities.

Mr Zulum further urged the federal government to extend exploration efforts into other prospective locations across the region, particularly the Bama, Monguno, and Lake Chad Basin areas of Borno State.

$1 billion social protection project

Highlighting social welfare interventions, Mr Zulum lauded the federal government’s $1 billion Household Prosperity and Economic Social Protection Project earmarked for the North-east.

He described the project as crucial for a region recovering from over a decade of insurgency, displacement, and humanitarian dependency.

“Our objective must now be to move deliberately from relief to recovery, and from recovery to sustainable prosperity,” he stressed.

Security improvements and non-kinetic strategies

Acknowledging measurable improvements in regional security compared to previous years, Mr Zulum attributed the progress to the sacrifices of the Nigerian armed forces, inter-state cooperation, and non-kinetic interventions.

He referenced programmes like the Safe Corridor Initiative, which facilitated the surrender and rehabilitation of repentant insurgents.

However, he warned against complacency, emphasising that security remains the prerequisite for economic transformation, healthcare delivery, and educational development.

Key regional initiatives highlighted

The governor outlined several regional development drives coordinated under the forum. They include:

10MW Solar Power per State.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to establishing 10-megawatt solar power plants in each of the six member states to expand clean, reliable energy access.

Livestock value chain development

Collaborating with the newly created Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, member states plan to modernise livestock systems, animal healthcare, and processing facilities.

E-mobility fleet procurement

Mr Zulum commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for procuring nearly 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) and e-tricycles.

The fleet is scheduled to be officially launched by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Harvest management

With promising agricultural outlooks across the states this season, member states were urged to establish off-taking, storage, and processing networks to prevent post-harvest losses and add value to regional produce.

Call for unified action

Concluding his address, Mr Zulum urged regional leaders to remain focused on translating policy discussions into measurable outcomes for residents across the six states.

“Our people expect results,” Mr Zulum said.

“They expect security that allows them to live peacefully, roads that connect their communities, schools that prepare their children for the future, hospitals that save lives, jobs that restore dignity, 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.