Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate direct disbursement of monthly statutory allocations to the state’s 27 local government councils, marking a major step towards full financial autonomy at the grassroots.
The decision was announced on Thursday by the Acting Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, shortly after the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen in Maiduguri.
Dr. Kadafur said the approval aligns with the recent Supreme Court judgment affirming local government financial autonomy, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s directive issued in December 2025, urging state governments to comply with constitutional provisions on council funding.
According to him, the policy is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance by removing bureaucratic delays associated with fund approvals and ensuring councils have unhindered access to resources needed for development.
He reaffirmed the Zulum administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that allocations to local governments would continue to be publicly disclosed to promote prudent management of public funds.
The acting governor urged the newly inaugurated chairmen to prioritise service delivery and remain accountable to their constituents, stressing that all funds received must be judiciously utilised for the overall benefit of the people.
He cautioned against wasteful expenditure and advised council leaders to focus on projects that directly enhance livelihoods, improve security and advance social welfare at the community level.
Dr. Kadafur also directed the chairmen to ensure the prompt payment of salaries and entitlements of local government workers, describing staff welfare as essential to restoring productivity and discipline across the councils.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent political figures, including the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; the Borno State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello Ayuba; and former Deputy Governors Ali Abubakar Jata’Au and Usman Mamman Durkwa.
Also present were the member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Engr. Satomi Ahmad; the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, represented by the House Leader, Dige Mohammed; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of Service, Dr. Amini Muhammad Ghuluze; as well as senior government officials and party leaders.
