Borno State Overview: Comprehensive Guide To The State

Borno state is one of the oldest states in Nigeria. However, the area has been battling insecurity, which began with the uprising of Boko Haram, affecting its development. Despite these security challenges, Borno remains a notable place to visit, although it is quite distant to travel. This article aims to enlighten you about its establishment, language, population, local government areas, governors, and universities/institutions in the region.

Creation of Borno

Borno ranks 7th position among the list of 36 states and capitals of Nigeria. Like other states, and in line with the government’s agenda to enhance administrative effectiveness and representation in the region, Borno was established. It was carved out of the former North-Eastern State in 1976 by General Murtala Mohammed during military rule. The name “Borno” originates from the ancient heritage of the Borno Emirate. Maiduguri is its capital city. Borno has the second-largest landmass among the thirty-six states in the federation. It shares borders with three other Nigerian states and three international countries.

Location of The State

Borno is located in the northeastern part of Nigeria, at approximately 11.0° N latitude and 13.0° E longitude. It shares state borders with:

  • Yobe to the west,
  • Gombe to the southwest,
  • Adamawa to the south.

Additionally, it shares international borders with:

  • Cameroon to the east,
  • Niger Republic to the north,
  • Chad Republic to the northeast.

The relatively easy accessibility of Borno has facilitated entry for foreigners without proper documentation, which is believed to have contributed to the security challenges in the region.

Borno State
Capital:Maiduguri
map of Borno - Maiduguri state
Nickname: Home of Peace

Date of Creation:3 February 1976
LocationNorth East
Executive Governor:Babagana Umara Zulum
Deputy Governor:Umar Usman Kadafur
Population:6.1 million as at 2022 Estimate
Language:Hausa, Kanuri, Shuwa Arabic and others
LGA:27
Postal Code
600001

Geographical Features

In the geographical assessment, Borno is located between the semi-desert Sahelian savannah in the north and the West Sudanian savannah, which stretches to the southeast along the Mandara Plateau.

Another significant feature is Lake Chad, accompanied by the waterlogged savannah in the extreme northeast. The Yobe River, which feeds into the flooded savannah of Lake Chad, serves as a natural border between the state and Niger.

Notably, the expansive Chad Basin National Park is situated in the central part of the state. This park is home to diverse wildlife, including the patas monkey, spotted hyena, roan antelope, black-crowned crane, and the last remaining population of Nigeria’s bush elephants.

Additionally, the Sambisa Forest is part of the Lake Chad Park. It was occupied by Boko Haram during the insurgency in the early 2010s, which caused many animals to flee the area. Unfortunately, recent flooding in Borno has impacted this park, raising concerns about the survival of these animals.

Population of Borno State

Unfortunately, Borno lacks documented population records from the last census held in 2006 due to ongoing insecurity in the region. The inability to access certain areas of the state made data collection incomplete, and no official census figure was allocated to Borno. However, in 2022, the estimated population of the state was approximately 6,111,500, ranking it as the twelfth largest out of Nigeria’s 36 states.

Despite being the second largest in land area among the 36 states, Borno is relatively less populous. Based on the 2022 estimated population, the state has a population density of 86 people per square kilometer (220 per square mile), indicating a sparse distribution. This sparse population is likely a result of the insecurity affecting the northern states, which has forced many residents to migrate to neighboring states or countries in search of safety and settlement.

How Is The Climate?

The climate conditions in Borno differ significantly from those in the southeastern states. Borno experiences variable rainfall, with the rainy season beginning in June or July, compared to the southeastern states, where it starts earlier. Rainfall in Borno is distinct and has a short cycle, lasting only five months each year.

Additionally, the northeastern states experience harmattan from December to February. The region also has relatively high humidity levels year-round. January is the coldest month, with an average annual temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, while May is the hottest month, with an average temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. August is the wettest month in Borno, with an average rainfall of 118.6 mm.

Overall, the climate in Borno is notably different from that of the southeastern states.

How Many Languages?

The Nigerian state of Borno has several local dialects. In particular, the Mandara language has numerous variations spoken by the people living in the Mandara Mountain settlements. However, in the northeastern part of Borno, Kanuri is the predominant language. The Hausa language is widely spoken across the state, especially in urban areas, serving as a common means of communication. Another prominent language is Shuwa Arabic, spoken in the northern part of the state near the borders of Chad and Cameroon. Borno is a region of vast linguistic diversity, with the three most widely spoken languages being Kanuri, Hausa, and Shuwa Arabic.

What Do The People Do for a Living?

In rural or remote areas, agriculture is the primary occupation. Livestock farming and crop cultivation are the major sources of livelihood. Agricultural products once formed a significant part of Borno’s economy, especially before the Boko Haram insurgency, which forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands. This disruption has led to food shortages in the region, contributing to scarcity across the nation, as Borno was previously a key food supplier for the country.

In urban areas, people are engaged in various occupations, including commerce and trading. Maiduguri, the state capital, serves as a hub of trade and commerce.

Religion in Borno

Borno is characterized by religious diversity. Approximately 80 percent of the population is Muslim, while around 12 percent are Christians. The remaining 7 percent adhere to traditional beliefs, predominantly in the southern settlements.

How Many Local Government Areas?

Borno State has 27 local government areas. See the list below:

LGALGALGA
AbadamAskira/UbaBama
BayoBiuChibok
DamboaDikwaGubio
GuzamalaGwozaHawul
JereKagaKala/Balge
KondugaKukawaKwaya Kusar
MafaMagumeriMaiduguri
MarteMobbarMonguno
NgalaNganzaiShani

Borno State’s First Military Governor

Millitary governor borno state

Borno had a military officer, Musa Usman, as the first governor of the state when it was part of the former North-Eastern State. Musa served as a military administrator, unlike civilian governors in a democratic system. During his tenure, some notable developments in the state included the establishment of a cement plant, Ashaka Cement, which began operations on July 19, 1979.

Musa Usman also participated in peace talks regarding the settlement of the border dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria in 1975. However, he was believed to have been an active participant in the military coup that ousted Nigeria’s head of state, Aguiyi-Ironsi, in 1966, which resulted in Yakubu Gowon being installed as head of state.

By 1976, Musa Usman became an advocate for the military to transfer power to a civilian government. Notably, he studied overseas at the Royal Military Academy in England. After retiring as a Brigadier, he embarked on a new career at the Bank of the North, where he served as a director.

Current Governor of Borno State

Babagana Umara Zulum governor of bauchi

Babagana Umara Zulum is the current executive governor of Borno State. He is a Nigerian professor and politician. Zulum was born on August 25, 1969, in Mafa, Borno State. He completed his primary education at Mafa Primary School in 1980. Between 1980 and 1985, Zulum attended Monguno Government Secondary School, and later obtained his first degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Maiduguri in 1985. He also earned a master’s degree in the same field from the University of Ibadan and completed a PhD in Soil and Water Engineering from the University of Maiduguri.

In his early career, Zulum worked at the Borno State Ministry of Agriculture. He was appointed Senior Field Officer in 1990 with the Unified Local Government Service and later worked as a Water Engineer in the same organization. Additionally, he worked in the education sector as an assistant lecturer at the University of Maiduguri in 2000, eventually attaining the rank of professor. He also served as the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in 2010 and as the Acting Dean in 2011.

While maintaining his teaching position at the University of Maiduguri, he was appointed Rector of Ramat Polytechnic. Zulum’s political career began in 2015 when he became a commissioner under Kashim Shettima’s government. He later won the governorship election in Borno State in 2019 and assumed office on May 29, 2019.

Current Deputy Governor of Borno State

Umar Usman Kadafur, the deputy governor of bauchi state

The current deputy governor of Borno State is Umar Usman Kadafur. Professionally, he is a public administrator and Nigerian politician. Kadafur was born on May 31, 1976, and hails from Biu Local Government Area. After completing his early education at Mbulamel Primary School, he earned his Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC) from Monguno Government Secondary School (GSS). He pursued a degree in Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri.

While there is little information about his career before entering politics, he assumed office as the Deputy Governor of Borno State on May 29, 2019, under the APC party, alongside Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

List of All Governors and Administrator of Borno State

NameTook OfficeLeft OfficeParty
Musa Usman (Governor)28 May 1967Jul 1975Military
Muhammadu Buhari (Governor)Jul 1975Mar 1976Military
Mustapha A. Amin (Governor)Mar 1976Jul 1978Military
Tunde Idiagbon (Governor)Jul 1978Oct 1979Military
Mohammed Goni (Governor)Oct 1979Oct 1983GNPP
Asheik Jarma (Governor)1 Oct 198331 Dec 1983NPN
Abubakar Waziri (Governor)Jan 1984Aug 1985Military
Abdulmumini Aminu (Governor)Aug 1985Dec 1987Military
Abdul One Mohammed  (Governor)Dec 1987Dec 1989Military
Mohammed Maina (Governor)Dec 1989Jun 1990Military
Mohammed Buba Marwa (Governor)Jun 1990Jan 1992Military
Maina Maaji Lawan  (Governor)Jan 1992Nov 1993SDP
Ibrahim Dada (Administrator)9 Dec 199322 Aug 1996Military
Victor Ozodinobi  (Administrator)22 Aug 19961997Military
Augustine Aniebo (Administrator)1997Aug 1998Military
Lawal Haruna (Administrator)Aug 1998May 1999Military
Mala Kachalla (Governor)29 May 199929 May 2003APP
Ali Modu Sheriff (Governor)29 May 200329 May 2011ANPP
Kashim Shettima (Governor)29 May 201129 May 2019APC
Babagana Umara Zulum (Governor)29 May 2019IncumbentAPC

Higher Institutions in Borno State

If you plan to further your higher education in Borno State, there are many institutional options available. These include universities, polytechnics, colleges, and military schools that offer degrees. Check out the institutions in Borno State below:

Institution TypeInstitution NameRemark
Federal InstitutionsUniversity of Maiduguri,Offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Nigerian Army University, BiuOffers military and civilian programs in security studies and technology.
Federal Polytechnic Monguno, MongunoOffers diploma programs in various technical fields.
Federal University of Agricultural Technology, DamboaProvides agricultural and technology-related programs.
State InstitutionsBorno State University, MaiduguriOffers various undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Mohammed Goni College of Legal & Islamic Studies, MaiduguriOffers programs in legal and Islamic studies.
Maiduguri College of Nursing and Midwifery, MaiduguriFocuses on nursing and midwifery programs.
Mohamet Lawan College of Agriculture, MaiduguriProvides agricultural courses and training.
Private InstitutionsAl-Ansar University, MaiduguriOffers undergraduate programs with a focus on Islamic studies and other fields.

How to Travel to Borno

  • Wherever you are, ask for the nearest park where you can board a vehicle going to Borno State. You can also take a train if you’re in a location with train services connecting to Borno State.

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