Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has been honoured as the 2025 Best Performing Governor in the Infrastructure Competitiveness Category at the BusinessDay States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA).
The prestigious award was presented on Thursday at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Jabi, Abuja, where Governor Zulum was recognised alongside ten other state governors for outstanding performance in governance and development.
Among dignitaries present at the ceremony were the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi; the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia; the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Faruk Lawal Jobe among other personalities.
Governor Zulum’s selection reflects his administration’s remarkable achievements in rebuilding critical infrastructure, revitalising moribund industries, and restoring livelihoods as part of Borno State’s comprehensive post-conflict recovery and development agenda.
His outstanding leadership over the years has earned him numerous accolades at national and international levels, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Most Media-Friendly Governor Award, the Nurse-Friendly Governor Award 2026, New Telegraph Governor of the Year, Forbes African Leadership Award, and African Leadership Person of the Year, among numerous others.
Governor Zulum, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, expressed profound gratitude to BusinessDay Media Limited, Nigeria’s flagship business and economic platform, for the distinguished recognition.
“ On behalf of His Excellency, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum CON, FNSE, mni, I wish to convey his heartfelt appreciation to the Publisher/Chief Executive Officer, management, editorial team, and entire staff of BusinessDay for finding him worthy of the Best Performing Governor Award in the Infrastructure Competitiveness Category at the 2025 States Competitiveness and Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA),” Zulum stated.
Governor Zulum said the recognition is particularly significant because it aligns closely with the core vision of his administration, the rebuilding and transformation of Borno State through strategic infrastructure development and post-conflict recovery.
“This award ranks among the most cherished recognitions he has received because it validates the painstaking efforts of his administration in restoring hope, rebuilding communities, and laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth,” he added.
“In the last seven years alone, the administration has executed nearly 2,000 projects across various sectors, including the construction and rehabilitation of mega schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, flyovers, housing estates, water supply schemes, and other critical public infrastructure.”
Speaking at the event, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of BusinessDay, Frank Aigbogun, described Governor Zulum as an exceptional leader whose administration has delivered one of Nigeria’s most ambitious reconstruction programmes despite the challenges posed by more than a decade of insurgency.
“Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has distinguished himself as an outstanding leader who, despite the challenges of a prolonged insurgency, has delivered one of Nigeria’s most ambitious reconstruction and reintegration programmes.”
The Borno State delegation to the ceremony included the Chief Investment Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Said Alkali Kori; Senior Special Assistant on Media, Hon. Baba Sheikh Haruna and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Internal Security, Alhaji Aminu Chamalwa.
Also present are the Senior Technical Assistant to the Governor, Christopher Godwin Akaba; General Manager of Borno Radio Television (BRTV), Malam Ali Mamman Shuwa; Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Borno State Council, Comrade Abdulkarim Haruna; and the council’s Secretary, Ciroma Ali Ibrahim, among others.
