Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, has flagged off the distribution and sales of 120,000 bags of fertilizers to no fewer than 100,000 small scale-farmers for this year’s cropping season across the state.

The governor said all the three types of fertilizers are sold to the farmers by the government at 50 percent subsidised prices.

Zulum unveiled the subsidization of fertilizers to the farmers on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Umar Mustapha II, at his palace in Biu.

The Governor was in Southern Borno,comparing nine Local Government Councils for the official flag-off of the 2026 wet farming season, and the commencement of sales of fertilizer at government-approved subsidised rates for smallholder and returnee farmers, as well as other empowerment programmes and official engagements.

Speaking during the visit, Zulum noted that incidents of thuggery had reduced significantly since the inception of his administration but stressed that creating employment opportunities for young people remains the most sustainable solution to the challenge.

Zulum further announced that each of the local government areas of the state would have 50 graduates employed, while larger councils such as Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Bama and Askira/Uba, Gwoza would have twice that number.

“We are here for the flag-off of the wet farming season and the sales of fertilizer at subsidised rates. I am grateful to the people of Biu for the overwhelming support and the warm reception they have always accorded us,” Zulum said.

The Governor emphasised that empowering unemployed youths was critical to preventing them from being exploited for criminal and political activities.

“We will be doing a great disservice to our youth if we allow them to continue to engage in thuggery without empowering them. You hardly find the children of prominent politicians, governors, senators, commissioners or even councillors involved in political thuggery,” he said.

Zulum, however, warned against the vandalisation of public infrastructure, particularly electricity facilities, saying anyone found engaging in such acts would henceforth face the full weight of the law.

He therefore urged the Emir and community leaders to work with the government in tackling drug abuse, gangsterism and other social vices.

“Your Royal Highness, we must address the rising cases of drug abuse, gangsterism and other social vices if we are to bequeath a better society to the next generation. We will continue to invest in our youth. I want Biu Local Government to identify 100 unemployed graduates, preferably those who studied health-related courses, English, Mathematics and Physics, especially among those involved in political thuggery, and we are ready to offer them employment opportunities,” the Governor added.

Zulum also revealed that the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio would be unveiled next week, noting that 27 aspirants had indicated interest in the position. He called on citizens to continue praying for the emergence of the most suitable candidate.