Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has given approval for the immediate payment of monthly statutory allocations directly into the accounts of the state’s 27 local government councils.
The approval was disclosed on Thursday in Maiduguri by the Acting Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, after he presided over the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected local government council chairpersons.
According to Kadafur, the decision was in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy as well as President Bola Tinubu’s December 2025 directive urging governors to guarantee the financial independence of local councils.
He explained that the initiative was aimed at strengthening grassroots governance by allowing council chairmen unhindered access to their allocations.
“You should be accessible to your people. Our governor is dedicated to developing the state. We are looking up to you at the grassroots to ensure transparency and accountability for every naira and kobo you receive,” Kadafur said.
He noted that Borno was taking the lead by ensuring that councils receive their funds directly, adding that delays associated with bureaucratic approval processes had been eliminated.
“We will continue to publish whatever is given to local government areas as part of our transparency drive, so you will be held accountable for every resources collected on behalf of the people,” he said.
The acting governor also urged the chairmen to give priority to the welfare of council workers, particularly the timely payment of salaries and other entitlements.
“You must be guardians of every naira, running every project and programme with the pillars of our 10-year strategy. Focus on essentials that directly improve lives.
“Furthermore, pay attention to the security and dignity of our people. There will be no more vanity projects. Timely payment of salaries is non-negotiable, and productivity and discipline must be restored,” he said.
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