MAIDUGURI — The North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to urgently reactivate stalled oil exploration activities across prospective hydrocarbon basins in Borno State, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin, Bama, and Monguno axis.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, during his opening address at the 10th meeting of the NEGF held in Maiduguri on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
While commending the Federal Government for reviving oil drilling and commercial development operations at the Kolmani oilfield along the Bauchi-Gombe border, Zulum emphasized that expanding upstream exploration into Borno State is vital for driving job creation, attracting long-term foreign direct investment, and broadening the revenue base of host communities recovering from security challenges.
“The resumption of responsible oil and gas exploration across the Chad Basin will significantly strengthen local economies, foster industrial growth, and provide a sustainable path toward economic self-reliance for the sub-region,” Zulum stated.
The forum urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and relevant regulatory agencies to leverage improving security conditions across the state to deploy advanced seismic survey technology and resume deep-drilling operations.
