North-East Governors Urge Tinubu to Resume Oil Exploration, Complete Key Infrastructure Projects

Governors from Nigeria’s North-East region have urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the completion of key infrastructure projects and revive oil exploration activities in the region.

The governors, led by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, made the appeal during a meeting with the President on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Top on their agenda was the urgent completion of 17 critical road projects and the resumption of oil exploration in frontier basins, particularly the Kolmani and Lake Chad wells.

The meeting was attended by all six governors from the region: Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Bala Muhammad (Bauchi), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Agbu Keffas (Taraba), and Zulum, who also chairs the North-East Governors’ Forum.

The governors listed several key projects requiring federal attention, including:

• Kano-Maiduguri Road

• Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Maiduguri Railway Line

• Bama–Mubi–Yola Road

• Wukari–Jalingo–Yola Road

• Duguri–Mansur Road (ongoing NNPC project)

• Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Damaturu Road

• Damaturu–Geidam Road

• Bauchi–Ningi–Nasaru–Babaldo Road

• Gombe–Potiskum and Damaturu–Biu Roads

• Alkaleri–Futuk Road

• Maiduguri–Damboa–Yola Road

• Gombe–Dukku–Darazo Road

• Biu–Gombe Road

• Ibi–Shamdam Road

• Maiduguri–Monguno–Baga Road

• Maiduguri–Ngala–Bama–Banki Road

Governor Zulum thanked the President for his ongoing efforts to stabilize the region and combat insurgency.
“We thank you for fostering peace and stability within the sub-region and continuing with your predecessor’s initiatives in sustaining the fight against insurgency,” he said.

Zulum also pledged the region’s support for the President’s development agenda, particularly in areas of security, agriculture, and manpower development.
“We are fully aligning with Mr. President’s initiative of manpower training and the provision of technology to reverse the insecurity in our forests and promote agricultural development under the Renewed Hope Agenda on food security,” he stated.

He added, “Mr. President, the North-East governors hold you in high esteem. We are united in our resolve to partner with your administration in delivering good governance and leaving behind enduring legacies for the country.”

In response, President Tinubu acknowledged the concerns raised and reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the developmental needs of the North-East.