The Borno Development Foundation (BDF) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate socio-economic development in Borno State and Northern Nigeria.
 
The signing ceremony, held in Abuja, marked a significant milestone in the region’s journey toward peace, stability, and progress. The MoU was signed by Mr. Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Chairman of the Board of Governors of BDF, and Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the NESG.
 
The partnership aims to address critical challenges, such as post-conflict reconstruction, poverty alleviation, and economic revitalisation, with a focus on empowering vulnerable populations, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), women, and youth.
 
The MoU sets out a detailed framework for collaboration on policy advocacy, institutional development, research, innovation, programme design, and implementation. It also reflected a shared understanding that development at scale requires not just funding but also the technical backbone, strategic partnerships, and governance maturity that can only come from a coalition of credible institutions.
 
Speaking at the signing ceremony, retired Air Marshal Allamin Daggash, Chairman of the BDF Board of Trustees, emphasised the foundation’s mission to deliver impact at the community level while strengthening Borno’s long-term resilience.
 
“The Borno Development Foundation is a necessary response to extraordinary challenges. It is designed to be a convener, facilitator, and catalyst for sustainable change, grounded in the values of professionalism, inclusivity, and local ownership.
 
“We believe that the people of Borno deserve not just recovery, but true renewal and BDF is here to help make that a reality.”  On his part, Chairman of the BDF Board of Governors, Hayatu-Deen, reiterated the foundation’s commitment to strategic partnerships and sustainable development practices.
 
“Our goal is to build a credible, respected institution that will serve the people of Borno with transparency, integrity, and effectiveness. We are committed to fostering broad-based partnerships that mobilise resources, knowledge, and capabilities to meet the urgent and evolving needs of our communities.
 
Chairman of the NESG, Yusuf, praised the vision behind the BDF, underscoring NESG’s commitment to supporting regional development initiatives.
 
“Borno’s stability and prosperity are vital to the future of Nigeria. Through this partnership, we are leveraging NESG’s three decades of experience in economic reform, policy dialogue, and stakeholder mobilisation to support the BDF’s mission of rebuilding lives, institutions, and economies,” he said.