Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate commencement of direct payment of monthly statutory allocations to the 27 local government councils in the state.
The approval was disclosed on Thursday by the Acting Governor, Alhaji Dr Umar Usman Kadafur, shortly after he presided over the swearing-in of the newly elected local government chairpersons.
Kadafur said the decision was in strict compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s December 2025 directive urging governors to ensure direct funding of councils.
He explained that the policy is aimed at strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots by granting council chairmen unhindered access to their funds, while enforcing transparency and accountability in local administration.
“You should be accessible to your people. The governor is committed to the development of Borno State, and we expect you at the grassroots to ensure transparency and accountability for every naira and kobo received,” Kadafur said.
He added that Borno State has set a pace by becoming the first state to implement full direct allocation to local governments, noting that the era of bureaucratic delays in accessing council funds had come to an end.
Kadafur further assured that allocations to councils would be publicly disclosed to enhance transparency and allow citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
The acting governor also charged the newly sworn-in chairmen to prioritise the welfare of local government workers, stressing that prompt payment of salaries and entitlements was non-negotiable.
“Focus on projects and programmes that directly improve lives. There will be no more vanity projects. Productivity, discipline and commitment to duty must be restored across all councils,” he said.
The ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba; and former Deputy Governors, Ali Abubakar Jata’Au and Usman Mamman Durkwa.
Others in attendance were members of the National Assembly, the leadership of the Borno State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Head of Service, and other senior government and party officials.
