Governor Zulum Advocates Agricultural Investment to Combat Insurgency in Africa.
By Ibrahim Umar,
Kanempress News,
6th,March,2025
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has emphasized of agricultural investment in addressing insurgency and conflict across Nigeria and Africa. Speaking at a high-level panel discussion on “Public-Private and Development Partnerships for Agri-Food Transformation” at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State, Governor Zulum highlighted the transformative potential of agriculture.
The event was part of a three-day working visit by Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, to Nigeria. The visit aimed to explore innovative agricultural practices, agribusiness models, and strengthen strategic partnerships between the two nations. Sierra Leone, with its history of conflict and post-war rebuilding efforts, is keen to adopt strategies that have proven effective in conflict-affected regions. The country is particularly interested in learning from Borno State’s agricultural initiatives, which have shown remarkable resilience despite 16 years of Boko Haram insurgency.
Governor Zulum, alongside Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, shared insights into Borno’s agricultural transformation. He highlighted the state’s substantial investments in solar-powered irrigation, large-scale farming, and public-private partnerships, which have already begun yielding significant results.
“My administration has invested significantly in agriculture. We currently have more than 1,000 tractors, combine harvesters, and other agricultural equipment capable of revitalizing the sector,” Governor Zulum stated. He noted that Borno State possesses over 1,000 tractors, 1,000 combine harvesters, and other modern agricultural machinery, which are key to boosting food security and economic development.
Governor Zulum further emphasized that leveraging technology, large-scale farming, and climate-smart agriculture can address insecurity while creating sustainable and inclusive food systems across Africa. “The Boko Haram insurgency has triggered an acute humanitarian crisis, devastated our social and economic fabric, and deepened poverty and fragility in the sub-region,” he said. “To tackle insurgency, we must address its root causes, including endemic poverty and pervasive illiteracy. When I assumed office, many agricultural lands were left uncultivated. I immediately began establishing mega farms in relatively peaceful areas to reverse this trend.”
Governor Zulum was accompanied by senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Babagana Mustapha Mallumbe; Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bawu Musami; and renowned agriculturalist Dr. Musa Inuwa Kubo. Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Borno Social Investment Agency, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, and the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Barrister Mustapha Busuguma.
