Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday carried out official government duties from the Zonal Department of Monitoring, Evaluation and Special Projects (MESP) Office in Biu Local Government Area, underscoring his administration’s commitment to grassroots governance and decentralised service delivery.
The Biu MESP Zonal Office, which operates under the Governor’s Office, was established and commissioned by Governor Zulum in 2022 to improve project monitoring, strengthen accountability, enhance public service delivery, and accelerate infrastructure development across the Southern Borno Senatorial District.
Similar offices have also been established in Monguno and Bama to serve the Northern and Central Senatorial districts respectively.
Thursday’s engagement marked the first time the governor officially conducted state business from the Biu office since its establishment, a move seen as a significant step in bringing government operations closer to the people.
During his visit, Zulum held security consultations with the Sector 2 Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, and the Commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, Benisheikh, to review the security situation and discuss strategies for consolidating recent successes recorded in counter-insurgency operations across the state.
The governor’s decision to work from the Biu facility reflects his longstanding approach to governance, which prioritises direct engagement with communities and on-the-ground assessment of government programmes rather than concentrating administrative activities solely in Maiduguri.
Since assuming office in 2019, Zulum has consistently travelled across Borno State’s 27 local government areas to inspect projects, assess development needs, and interact directly with residents. In addition to operating from the Government House, he has frequently conducted official duties from the Musa Usman Secretariat, which serves as a secondary administrative base for state affairs.
The visit forms part of the governor’s ongoing working tour of Southern Borno. Earlier in the week, he flagged off the 2026 wet farming season in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area and launched the distribution of 200 truckloads of subsidised NPK fertiliser to farmers at 50 per cent of the market price.
The agricultural support programme also included the distribution of free agrochemicals, certified seeds, knapsack sprayers, water pumps, and 10,000 bicycles to smallholder farmers aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and food security.
During a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, the governor announced the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area. According to him, the initiative is designed to address youth unemployment, reduce political thuggery, and curb other social challenges affecting the area.
Zulum also met with members of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Biu, where he unveiled a welfare package for corps members.
Under the intervention, each corps member will receive ₦50,000, while nursing mothers among them will be given an additional ₦200,000. The NYSC Zonal Inspector was awarded ₦250,000, while other officials, including the Liaison Officer, received ₦100,000 each in recognition of their service and commitment.
The governor said the measures form part of his administration’s broader efforts to improve welfare, support youth development, and strengthen community-based governance across Borno State.
Zulum Reviews Security, Monitors Development Projects During Working Visit to Southern Borno
