Governor Babagana Zulum has highlighted the state’s post-insurgency recovery, citing the return of about two million displaced persons and the reconstruction of more than 30,000 homes and public facilities.

The governor stated this in his message to the people of Borno and Nigerians to commemorate the country’s 66th independence anniversary on Thursday in Maiduguri. He said the achievements reflected the collective efforts of the government, security personnel, volunteers, traditional and religious leaders, communities and residents in rebuilding the state after years of insurgency.

According to him, his administration executed more than 1,500 project clusters across Borno’s 27 council areas in the last seven years.

Mr Zulum said the projects covered reconstruction, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, human capital development and the resettlement of communities affected by insurgency. 

He added, “About two million of our people have returned to their communities, and we are working to resettle more. We must not allow a few unpatriotic people to derail this hard-earned peace.”

The governor said more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities destroyed during the insurgency had also been rebuilt. He said the state had recorded progress in education, with functional secondary schools increasing from 34 in 2019 to 129 in 2026.

Mr Zulum added that school enrollment had risen to 1.8 million children, while the government was prioritising digital and vocational education. He said investments had also been made in agriculture to promote year-round farming, while the health sector had been strengthened to expand access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable residents.

The governor described Borno as an emerging investment destination, citing its strategic location, human capital and natural resources. He said the administration was creating opportunities to drive post-conflict economic recovery and improve livelihoods.

Mr Zulum urged residents to sustain unity, peaceful coexistence and respect for the rule of law, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify. He called for campaigns without rancour, saying the relative peace achieved in the state must be protected.

The governor commended the people for their resilience and support and pledged to sustain the administration’s development efforts until the end of his tenure.

The speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, called for renewed patriotism, patience, cooperation, selflessness and love for one another as the nation marks her 66th independence anniversary. He made the call in a statement by his chief press secretary, Sheu Yusuf, on Thursday in Ilorin.

The speaker charged Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic-religious background, to rededicate themselves through hard work, commitment and patriotism.

“In spite of challenges facing the country, the federal and subnational governments are doing everything possible to turn things around by improving the socio-economic well-being of the citizenry. Nigeria, like other countries of the world, is having her own share of challenges, especially security challenges.

“But as we mark our 66th independence anniversary, our problems are surmountable if we renew our patriotism and unite to pursue the true dreams of our founding fathers, built on a virile and economically prosperous nation,” he said.