Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate direct payment of monthly statutory allocations to the state’s 27 local government areas, a move officials say is aimed at strengthening grassroots governance.
The approval was announced on Thursday by the acting governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, after he presided over the swearing-in ceremony of 27 newly elected local government chairpersons.
Mr. Kadafur said the decision followed a Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy and President Bola Tinubu’s call in December 2025 for state governors to ensure direct access to funds for local councils.
He said the policy would allow local government chairmen to manage their finances independently, while being held accountable for transparency and service delivery.
“You should be accessible to your people and ensure that every naira allocated to your council is used responsibly,” Mr. Kadafur told the newly sworn-in chairpersons, adding that the era of delays caused by bureaucratic approvals had ended.
He also said the state government would continue to publish details of allocations to local governments as part of its transparency measures.
The Acting Governor urged the chairpersons to prioritize the welfare of local government staff, including the prompt payment of salaries and entitlements, and to focus on projects that directly improve the lives of residents.
The ceremony was attended by several senior political figures, including the Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; the Borno State chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Bello Ayuba; and other current and former state officials.
