The Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has unveiled the distribution of a N1 billion 500 electric tricycles to boost a clean environment and employment for the youths in the state.

The youths’ employment initiative drive comprises 1,000 Keke Napep operators in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area.

The environment-friendly electric tricycles were inaugurated on 20th December 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of Zulum’s efforts to modernize transportation and overcome the economic hardships among the people in the state.

Launching the empowerment programme over the weekend at the Government House, Maiduguri, the Governor said: “The e-tricycles initiative was designed to empower the less-privileged Keke Napep riders, and to reduce commuters’ transportation costs for residents across the Metropolitan Council and Jere local government area.

“I am privileged to launch this empowerment programme for about 1,000 beneficiaries among tricycle riders in Maiduguri and Jere today, to the glory of God and for the benefit of humanity,” Zulum stated.

“These electric tricycles were procured some months ago, and what we are witnessing today is their formal distribution to the less-privileged Keke Napep operators.

“These eco-friendly tricycles represent a significant step towards modernizing transportation, while promoting environmental sustainability, to mitigate climate change in the state,” stated Zulum.

He noted that while a designated committee would oversee the payment structure for the tricycles, the state government would subsidize 30 percent of the cost to ensure affordability for beneficiaries.

Beyond the distribution of tricycles, he added, “The state government will subsidize part of the cost by 30% to make them affordable.

“The e-tricycles are being given to riders with the dual purpose of empowering them economically and reducing transportation costs for the public.

“Beneficiaries are expected to utilize the tricycles in accordance with the rules and guidelines already provided by the committee. Compliance is essential to ensure order, accountability, and the long-term success of the programme.”

The governor further revealed that the 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders are from 25 Associations across Metropolitan Council and Jere, who are to each receive ₦50,000 in financial assistance to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

Additionally, he said: ““We have approved a financial intervention amounting to ₦1 billion to support transportation workers and cushion the impact of hardship on their livelihood. A total of 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders will each receive ₦50,000 in financial support.”

The governor, therefore, congratulated all the beneficiaries and urged them to make productive use of the opportunity, while commending the organizing committee and the Commissioner for Transportation for successfully coordinating the initiative.

Chairman of Borno State Empowerment Committee (BOEC) Hon Saina Buba, said each tricycle can cover a distance of 65 kilometres on a single charge.

He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully identified and selected by the leadership of the Associations, stressing that no one was influenced by the governor or Borno State Government officials.