…Seek Launch Before Year-end
The six North-East states have secured ₦15.8 billion in counterpart funding for a proposed regional airline aimed at improving movement and economic integration across the sub-region.
Borno State Governor and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this at the 13th regular meeting of the forum in Maiduguri on Saturday.
Zulum said Borno had contributed ₦10.8 billion while Gombe provided ₦5 billion, bringing the funds raised so far to ₦15.8 billion.
He said the remaining contributions from the other member states were expected before the end of the year, with the aim of commencing operations of the North-East Air Shuttle.
“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,” he said.
The proposed airline is expected to improve air connectivity among Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, making movement of people and goods within the region easier.
The plan is part of a broader push by the governors to address infrastructure and economic challenges confronting the region, which has faced years of insecurity, displacement and poor transport links.
The forum had earlier agreed that each of the six states would contribute towards the proposed airline, with the governors targeting a larger funding pool to acquire aircraft and commence operations.
At the meeting, the governors also committed to developing 10 megawatts of solar power in each of the six states, a proposal first adopted by the forum as part of efforts to address the region’s persistent electricity challenges.
Zulum said the security situation in the region had improved, attributing the progress to the efforts of the armed forces, other security agencies and the resilience of local communities.
He, however, said security must remain central to the region’s development agenda.
According to him, the focus should shift from emergency relief to recovery and, ultimately, sustainable prosperity, with greater attention to rebuilding communities affected by conflict.
He said such efforts should include housing, education, healthcare and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons and other vulnerable residents.
Governors seek action on 17-project package
Also speaking at the meeting, Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, called for action on a 17-project strategy package submitted to President Bola Tinubu in September 2025.
The package includes the proposed Maiduguri Rail Corridor and Frontier Oil Exploration, among other projects identified as critical to the development of the North-East.
Yahaya said the NEGF had strengthened its institutional structure through the establishment of a secretariat, technical committees and sectoral working groups.
He said the governors had also adopted a unified approach to tackling the region’s challenges, combining security operations with measures to address poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, drug abuse and illegal mining.
The strategy, he said, would also strengthen intelligence sharing among states and deepen engagement with local communities.
The six states that make up the North-East Governors’ Forum are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
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