Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Thursday hosted thousands of Kanuri kinsmen from across Africa as Maiduguri played host to this year’s Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit.
The summit drew Kanuri delegates from at least 10 African countries, including Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, Central African Republic, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon and Benin, highlighting the transnational reach of the Kanuri people and their shared historical roots.
The gathering, attended by 161 emirs, senior government officials and traditional leaders, was conceived as a platform to revive age-long kinship ties anchored in Kanuri heritage, while promoting cooperation in education, economic development and social advancement among Kanuri communities spread across borders.
Colourful cultural displays and traditional dance performances from participating countries showcased the enduring legacy of the Kanem-Borno civilisation—one of Africa’s longest-surviving empires, which flourished for over a millennium around the Lake Chad region.
Addressing participants in the Kanuri language, Governor Zulum called for renewed commitment to educational exchange, entrepreneurship and collective socio-economic initiatives to uplift Kanuri communities globally. He announced the award of scholarships to 150 students from countries that were once part of the historic Kanem-Borno Empire, describing the initiative as a step towards strengthening unity, fraternity and shared progress.
The Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, was represented at the summit by the Governor of Lac Province, Major General Saleh Haggar Tidjani.
Other prominent personalities at the event included Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni; former Vice President Babagana Kingibe; and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.
Also in attendance were Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Mohammed Ali Ndume, members of the House of Representatives, speakers of the Borno and Yobe State Houses of Assembly, as well as traditional rulers from different parts of Nigeria.
The summit ended with a renewed call for collaboration among Kanuri descendants worldwide to preserve their cultural legacy and channel their shared identity into sustainable development for future generations.
Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
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