Echoes of Resilience, Visionary Kinship: Zulum and Buni lead a historic cross-border cultural revival, by Abubakar M. Kareto
The 2nd Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit, held in Maiduguri in January 2026, gathered thousands of Kanuri descendants to emphasize regional unity, cultural preservation, and stability. The event aimed to reconnect the Kanuri diaspora, revive endangered traditions like the Kanuri language, and foster socio-economic development through trade and education.
Coming from the summit’s theme “Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability,” brought together thousands of descendants from more than ten nations, including Sudan, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. This enormous assembly demonstrated that the 1,000-year-old empire’s cultural ties still outweigh the insurgents’ polarising beliefs.
Hosting an international event in Maiduguri, a city previously affected by conflict, conveys that it has become a safe and welcoming center for hospitality and education. The summit highlighted the importance of a strong cultural identity, noting that individuals who are confident in their identity are less easily swayed by extremist ideologies, thereby celebrating principles of justice and tolerance to counteract such narratives.
Host Governor Babagana Zulum emphasized the summit as a call for unity, announcing scholarships for 150 students from historical Kanem-Borno regions. Additionally, the participation of Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni highlighted political solidarity. The summit is crucial for Borno’s recovery from insurgency, countering conflict narratives, promoting cultural ties for security, and facilitating psychological healing for the community, aiming to restore confidence and moral courage to rebuild society.
The 2026 Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit signifies a pivotal blend of contemporary political leadership and historical heritage in the Sahel.
Key interesting events I witnessed include Governor Babagana Zulum’s use of Kanuri in his address, promoting identity, and providing scholarships that emphasize collective knowledge over conflict.
Again, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe showcased a united regional identity through his support for Zulum. Additionally, high-level delegations from Chad and Cameroon, including traditional rulers, reflect a commitment to “Soft Diplomacy,” emphasizing cross-border cultural and economic cooperation.
The event in Borno focused on fostering resilience through psychological recovery via cultural exhibitions and horse-riding displays, aimed at transforming trauma into pride. It is anticipated to enhance the local economy and tourism, thereby restoring public confidence in normalcy. Additionally, the attendance of high-level officials from Chad and Cameroon emphasized diplomatic cooperation, vital for regional security and trade.
Lastly,the summit successfully portrayed Maiduguri as a vibrant hub for culture and business, signaling resilience against past insurgencies.
Abubakar M. Kareto is a public affairs analyst.
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