Borno State Governor and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), Babagana Zulum, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving oil exploration activities at the Kolmani oil well, while urging that work on Borno state’s own oil fields be similarly revived for production.

Zulum made the commendation on Saturday at the 13th regular meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Government House in Maiduguri.

The two-day meeting, which began on October 2 and ends on October 3, 2026, brought together governors from the six northeastern states to deliberate on regional development, security, and economic cooperation.

Other governors in attendance were Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa and Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe. The Governors of Bauchi and Yobe states were represented at the meeting by their deputies.

In his address, Zulum noted that the resumption of oil exploration in the northeast, particularly Kolmani and the Lake Chad basin, was a critical component of the region’s economic revival strategy.

He said, “Distinguished colleagues, I wish to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the Federal Government’s continued commitment to the development of the North-East.”

“We particularly welcome the renewed efforts towards reviving exploration activities at the Kolmani Oil Field in Bauchi State. The revival of this important project represents more than an investment in the oil and gas sector; it offers an opportunity to unlock new economic possibilities, create employment, stimulate infrastructure development and broaden the revenue base of our states and communities.”

The Forum Chairman, however, urged that the momentum be extended to Borno State’s oil fields, stressing that reviving exploration activities there would complement military operations and accelerate development across the sub-region. He emphasised that renewed federal support for oil exploration in Kolmani and Lake Chad would help diversify the region’s economy and create much-needed jobs.

“In the same spirit, we respectfully urge the Federal Government to revisit the exploration activities earlier commenced but subsequently stalled in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State.”

“Responsible exploration and development of our natural resources can complement ongoing reconstruction efforts, strengthen local economies, restore livelihoods and create sustainable opportunities for our rapidly growing population,” Zulum stated.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Gombe State governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya, listed achievements since the forum’s creation, including establishing the North-East Education Council.

He said: “Our states are addressing the Almajiri and out-of-school children challenge through practical models, from Borno’s Tsangaya Commission to Taraba’s Almajiri Model Education Centres and our own Integrated Almajiri Education Centres in Gombe. Our Commissioners of Health also came together in 2024 to form a regional health platform to increase intra-regional responsiveness and share best practices.”

The 13th North-East Governors’ Forum meeting is expected to issue a communiqué outlining measures on security, economic integration, and infrastructure development.