In a bid to strengthen local businesses and boost economic activity, the Borno State Government has disbursed ₦1 billion to small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in five local government areas in the southern part of the state. This significant financial support was delivered on Thursday by Governor Babagana Zulum, targeting businesses in Biu, Hawul, Shani, Bayo, and Kwaya-Kusar. The move is part of ongoing efforts to support entrepreneurship, build resilient communities, and sustain business operations in rural parts of Borno.
Governor Zulum presented the funds in Biu Local Government Area, where he underscored the importance of empowering small business owners. According to the governor, providing direct financial resources to entrepreneurs is vital for stimulating growth at the grassroots level. He highlighted that this support is especially crucial as the state continues to recover from years of insurgency and economic disruption.
The beneficiaries, a mix of traders, artisans, and local service providers were selected from the five councils with the aim of enhancing their capacity to sustain and expand their enterprises. Many of these SMEs have faced challenges such as limited access to credit and markets, which have hindered their ability to scale and create jobs. By injecting capital directly into their operations, the state government hopes to unlock productivity, encourage reinvestment, and foster long-term growth.
Governor Zulum reaffirmed that the initiative is not just a one-off gesture but part of a broader strategy to foster self-reliance and economic stability in communities that have borne the brunt of insecurity. He explained that boosting the SME sector will create opportunities for local people, especially youths, and help reduce dependency on government interventions. This aligns with similar programmes he has rolled out previously.
Alongside the financial disbursement, the governor announced other developmental plans aimed at strengthening the local economy and improving livelihoods. He directed the immediate employment of 200 youths from Biu LGA to address unemployment and curb youth restiveness. The employment initiative is part of the state’s broader youth engagement strategy designed to give young people meaningful roles in community development.
In a related move, Governor Zulum inaugurated a fully renovated “Second Chance School” for vulnerable girls and women in Biu. This school offers essential skills training, digital literacy, and basic education for adults who missed out on formal schooling, equipping them with tools to participate more effectively in the economy.
During his visit, the governor also paid a working trip to Biu Specialist Hospital, where he announced the automatic employment of dedicated volunteer health workers. This step is intended to strengthen healthcare delivery and support frontline health services in rural communities.
Furthermore, Governor Zulum inspected a 100-unit teachers’ housing estate under construction in Biu. This project is part of a wider effort to improve the welfare of teachers and ensure that qualified educators are motivated to serve in public schools across the region. The state government hopes that better living conditions will attract and retain skilled professionals in education, which in turn will boost literacy and human capital development.
The governor also inaugurated rehabilitation works on the Borno State Hotel Annexe in Biu, signaling a renewed focus on infrastructure and public facilities. Such investments are expected to support tourism, hospitality, and broader economic activities once fully completed.
Overall, this fresh disbursement builds on previous state efforts to empower local entrepreneurs. Earlier initiatives included the distribution of grants to thousands of SMEs to reduce poverty and create jobs, reflecting a sustained commitment to economic growth and community resilience.
This injection of ₦1 billion into the SME sector is anticipated to stimulate local economic activity, enhance job creation, and increase income generation in rural Borno, a strategic move that could improve economic resilience, broaden the tax base, and support post-insurgency recovery through private sector-led growth.
