Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has consistently refused to endorse or name a specific individual as his successor, choosing instead to let the democratic process play its natural course. However, his administration’s governance blueprint and his public actions over the years paint a flawless architectural drawing of the qualities the next leader of Borno must possess. He has set an extremely high bar of expectation, ensuring that whoever takes over the mantle of leadership cannot afford to be an average. This bar of governance and blueprint will definitely serve as the ultimate checklist for the good people of Borno State and beyond in the future.
At the very forefront of these qualities is a raw, physical courage and an aggressively hands-on approach to governance. Zulum famously demystified the office of the governor by consistently leaving the comfort and security of the Government House in Maiduguri to visit highly vulnerable, remote frontlines. Borno is a unique state operating under extreme conditions; it cannot afford an armchair Executive Governor. The next governor must possess that rare, legendary physical courage required to personally supervise the resettlement of displaced persons and stand on the frontlines of community rebuilding alongside security agencies.
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This fearless commitment is highlighted by the fact that the governor has put his own life on the line numerous times, surviving heavily coordinated ambushes by Boko Haram terrorists in 2020 while on active resettlement missions in volatile areas like Baga. I can still vividly recall when he went beyond day-time visits by famously sleeping over in hard-to-reach, high-risk areas like Marte, Kala-Balge, Chibok, and Rann to share the risks of his citizens. He also famously conducted surprise midnight headcounts at IDP camps to weed out “ghost households” siphoning relief materials, and once visited a public school at 6:30AM to promote a lone level-12 teacher who was the only one on duty. These events are just a few among uncountable others. This level of extreme, frontline dedication cannot be replicated by traditional, boardroom politicians.
Equally critical is a deep, functional understanding of what experts call the “peace-development nexus.” Zulum’s background as a pioneer commissioner in post-conflict reconstruction proved that military action alone cannot defeat an insurgency without massive investments in education, agriculture, and youth empowerment. Any worthy successor must be a visionary capable of sustaining this aggressive economic drive to ensure that poverty and illiteracy do not continue to serve as fuel for extremism. There must be an unbroken continuation of the massive infrastructural projects that have successfully started turning the tide from mere survival to sustainable recovery across the state.
Absolutely no doubt, Borno needs a leader of unflinching financial integrity who possesses a fierce, independent mindset. Zulum earned national and international respect by proving that public funds can be utilized strictly for public good, actively rejecting the conversion of state resources into personal wealth or political patronage. This was heavily demonstrated when he ruthlessly suspended the entire management team of Ramat Polytechnic during a surprise morning inspection after finding the state-funded laboratories in complete decay. His immense empathy is also backed by heavy, real-world action, frequently traveling out of the state to personally visit widows of slain soldiers and local vigilantes, donating millions and issuing lifetime scholarships to their orphaned children to secure their futures.
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Borno is at a delicate crossroads, and its future must only be handed to a proven, tested hand capable of guarding the state’s developmental trajectory with absolute selflessness. Governor Zulum has done his part by raising the bar and setting the gold standard; the burden is now on the political class and the good people of Borno to demand nothing less in the upcoming transition.
Lastly, as we navigate this critical period, we must rest on the ultimate truth that power is subject to the absolute designs of the Almighty. In line with the Governor’s submission to divine authority, we hold on to the unshakeable belief that Allah gives leadership to whomever He chooses. Our collective prayer is that He grants Borno the very best candidate who will protect its citizens, sustain this incredible momentum of recovery, and lead the state into an era of lasting peace and prosperity.
Written by Abubakar M. Kareto
Public Affairs Analyst & Commentator.
Email: amkareto@gmail.com
