Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has approved the immediate disbursement of monthly statutory allocations directly to the 27 local government councils in the state, in line with constitutional provisions on local government financial autonomy.
The approval was announced on Thursday by the Acting Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, shortly after the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairmen in Maiduguri.
Kadafur said the decision followed the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government financial autonomy, as well as President Bola Tinubu’s directive issued in December 2025, urging state governments to comply fully with constitutional requirements.
According to him, the policy shift is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance by removing bureaucratic delays associated with fund approvals and giving local councils unhindered access to resources needed for development.
He noted that Governor Zulum’s administration remains committed to transparency and accountability, adding that the state government would continue to publicly disclose allocations made to local governments to encourage prudent management of public funds.
The acting governor charged the council chairmen to prioritise service delivery and remain accountable to their constituents, stressing that funds must be used judiciously to improve livelihoods, enhance security and address social welfare needs at the community level.
He also warned against wasteful spending and directed the chairmen to ensure the prompt payment of salaries and entitlements of local government workers, describing staff welfare as critical to restoring productivity and discipline across the councils.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; the Borno State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bello Ayuba; and former Deputy Governors Ali Abubakar Jata’Au and Usman Mamman Durkwa.
Others present were the member representing Jere Federal Constituency, Engr. Satomi Ahmad; the Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, represented by the House Leader, Dige Mohammed; the Secretary to the State Government; the Head of Service, Dr. Amini Muhammad Ghuluze; as well as senior government officials and party leaders.
By Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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