…. a success story for Team Zulum-Kadafur
By: Prof Usman Tar
At a recent meeting of the Body of Deputy Governors in Nigeria held on 28 March 2026, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur was unanimously chosen, on merit, as the chairman of Nigerian deputy governor’s forum.
This is a welcome development and a pleasant news signalling a vote of confidence for Zulum-Kadafur tenure.
*Team Zulum-Kadafur: the Virtue of Mutual Loyalty*
The emergence of Honorable Kadafur as Gov Zulum’s running mate in 2019 was not a coincidence: Kadafur hailed from an illustrious family in Biu. He also carved a niche for himself as a politician, public servant and business mogul. His resume contains a rich chronicle of political gerrymandering and service to humanity.
For the past 7 years, Kadafur has demonstrated loyalty, doggedness, resilience, passion and consistency as an indefatigable deputy to Gov Zulum.
Through thick and thin, Hon Kadafur has served as a supporting pillar to Gov Zulum’s recovery agenda for Borno State. The quantum of development projects accomplished by Gov Zulum is partly the outcome of what happens when a Governor is gifted with a loyal and reliable deputy.
*Kadafur’s Root and Antecedents*
Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur was born on 31st May, 1976, in the ancient city of Biu, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, to the family of late Alhaji Usman and Hajiya Kwaksa Kadafur of blessed memory. He began his early education at Mbulamel Primary School, Biu, and proceeded to Comprehensive Secondary School, Waka Biu, before attending Government Senior Science Secondary School, Monguno, where he obtained his West African Senior School Certificate. He later gained admission into the University of Maiduguri, where he earned a Diploma and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
*Kadafur’s Footprint in Borno Landscape*
Honorable Kadafur began his political career in 2008 when he was elected Chairman of Biu Local Government Area under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) during the administration of His Excellency, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff. Owing to his outstanding performance, he was subsequently appointed Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Biu Local Council in 2015, 2017, and 2018 by the then Governor His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, now Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Honorable Kadafur’s leadership at the grassroots level distinguished him as a visionary administrator, and paved the way for his emergence as Deputy Governor in 2019, alongside the incumbent Governor, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
As Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, Kadafur demonstrated exceptional leadership acumen, initiating and executing impactful infrastructural projects across the council.
He also championed a sustainable urban transport scheme that facilitated the distribution of high capacity buses, alongside several youth empowerment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and economic opportunities. During his tenure at Biu Local Government, Kadafur excelled in land management (land tenure discipline), public security, humanitarian relief, support for small businesses, cultural renaissance and respect for traditional rulers.
Since assuming office as Deputy Governor of Borno State, Kadafur has continued to exhibit diligence, loyalty, administrative competence, administrative sagacity and prudent management of resources. On two separate occasions, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum entrusted him with the responsibility of Acting Governor, a testament to his capacity and dedication to service. Little wonder, when Gov Zulum established the state Ministry of Livestock development, the portfolio was given to Kadafur. As an accomplished farmer, Kadafur oversees the establishment of a sustainable policy on the livestock value chain in Borno State. In the fulness, this policy is expected to catapult Borno as a net exporter of livestock in sub-saharan Africa, Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
Honorable Kadafur has also chaired and contributed to several strategic committees, including those on COVID-19 response, Mass Housing Development, Amirul Hajj operations, Ease of Doing Business, Repatriation of Refugees, and the management of repentant insurgents (Borno Model).
A committed public servant and humanitarian, Honorable Kadafur is happily married with children. His hobbies include humanitarian service, travelling, and sports such as badminton. He has visited several countries, including the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Italy, and Colombia, gaining valuable global exposure.
His emergence as Chairman of the Nigerian Deputy Governors’ Forum is a well deserved recognition of his experience, leadership capacity, and commitment to public service.
*The Borno Example: A National Precedent?*
The emergence of Kadafur as the chairman of deputy governors is not an isolated incident. It is a manifestation of a chain of exemplary feats, in a country where several states are overwhelmed with intra-elite scandals and “dirty politics”. Borno appears to have set a national precedents on a number of benchmarks:
1. Cordial relationship between the sitting Governor (Zulum) and his predecessors (Senator Kashim Shettima, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Senator Maina Maaji Lawan and Alhaji Asheikh Jarma).
2. Cordial relationship between the Governor and his deputy.
3. Cordial relationship between executive, legislature and Judiciary.
4. Cordial relationship between the political elites, voting public and citizens.
5. Cordial relationship between the political class, traditional rulers, business community, ulamas, clergy, media and civil society.
The Borno recovery slogan under the watch of Gov Zulum is apt: “Building Borno Back Better” (Bx4).
Prof. Tar is the Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Borno State.