Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Thursday hosted thousands of Kanuri kinsmen from across Africa as Maiduguri played host to the 2025 Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit, a gathering aimed at strengthening transnational ties among Kanuri descendants.
The summit attracted delegations from at least 10 African countries—Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, the Central African Republic, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon and Benin—reflecting the wide geographic spread of the Kanuri people. In attendance were 161 emirs, alongside senior government officials and traditional rulers, underscoring the historical and cultural importance of the event.
Conceived as a platform to revive kinship bonds rooted in shared Kanuri heritage, the summit also sought to promote cooperation in education, economic development and social advancement among Kanuri communities across borders.
Colourful cultural displays and traditional dance performances by participating delegations showcased the rich legacy of the Kanem-Borno civilisation, one of Africa’s longest-surviving empires, which flourished for more than a millennium around the Lake Chad region.
Addressing participants in the Kanuri language, Governor Zulum called for renewed commitment to educational exchange, entrepreneurship and collective socio-economic initiatives capable of uplifting Kanuri communities globally. He announced the award of scholarships to 150 students from countries that were once part of the historic Kanem-Borno Empire, describing the initiative as a step toward strengthening unity and fraternity.
The President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, was represented at the summit by the Governor of Lac Province, Major General Saleh Haggar Tidjani.
Other dignitaries at the event included Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni; former Vice President, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Mohammed Ali Ndume; and Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.
Also present were members of the House of Representatives, speakers of the Borno and Yobe State Houses of Assembly, traditional rulers from various parts of Nigeria, members of the Borno State House of Assembly, commissioners and senior officials of the Borno State Government.
The summit concluded with a renewed call for collaboration among Kanuri descendants worldwide to preserve their cultural heritage and harness their shared identity for sustainable development and future generations.
