A phenomenal wind of change is blowing across third-tier governance in Borno State, with the inauguration of the state’s 27 newly elected local government council chairmen, Thursday, January 29, as launchpad.
In a strategic shift in grassroots governance, named: Zulum’s New Formula, about sixty percent of the council chiefs are all under the age fifty, a historic departure from the dominant paradigm of majority above-sixty, and already aging-out, politicians holding the third-tier governance fort.
Most striking, however, is the fact that Governor Zulum has ensured fifteen percent of the chairmen are in their thirties—a novel and unprecedented development.
Moreover, over sixty percent of them hold bachelor’s or postgraduate degrees, combining knowledge, education and leadership, a pacesetting accomplishment in the annals of local government administration, at least in Northern Nigeria.
This novel grassroots governance approach has already produced results: several chairmen have prepared strategic blueprints aligned with the Governor’s 25-year development framework and 10-year strategic transformation plan.
The new chairmen were elected on 13th December 2025, in the third local government poll conducted under Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration within six and a half years.
The election fulfilled the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates that local government areas be governed by elected officials—a principle recently reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.
Apart from the striking age shift, majority of these grassroots-governance new breeds were sieved from backgrounds in administration, political appointment, academia, business and, most-strikingly, practical farming.
Zulum’s New Formula is advised by the fact that the youth form the largest demographic group in Borno State, as is incontrovertibly the case in all states of the country, and have played a significant role in promoting the state’s peace and stability.
To, therefore, integrate them into governance, Governor Zulum has entrenched the trend of appointing many young people to political and public offices.
The newly inaugurated local council leadership is also gender-inclusive, with a considerable number of women elected as councillors and further opportunities emerging for women in both elective and appointive roles.
Prior to the inauguration, Governor Zulum submitted an executive communication to the House of Assembly seeking to amend the Local Government Administration Law 2000, extending chairmen’s tenure from two to three years. This responds to popular demand and allows greater time to initiate and deliver development projects.
As he administered the oath of office on them, that historic Thursday, Zulum whose massage was delivered by the acting Governor, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur, charged them to be above board in the conduct of local governance and develop their local government areas in fulfillment of their respective realities and according to existing and emerging imperatives.
His aim is to put to shame, all doubting Thomases and pessimists about his pacesetting novel grassroots governance formula.
“As you take your oaths of Allegiance and Office, you have not just won an election, but you have accepted a covenant with the people of Borno State,” Zulum. He pointed out to the local council helmsmen, “You have volunteered to bear the weight of their hopes, their struggles and their aspirations for a better life at the grassroots, the very foundation of our society.”
The governor emphasized that their stewardship comes at a pivotal moment in the history of the state, and described them as the primary engines for the implementation of his 25-Year Development Plan and the immediate drivers of his 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative.
“Your success at the local level is the critical foundation for the Borno of our collective vision, a State of sustained peace, shared prosperity and renewed hope,” he charged.
Zulum underscored to them his profound passion for, and commitment to, his novel grassroots governance formula.
The resources you steward are the lifeline of our communities. You must be guardians of every Naira, aligning every project and programme with the pillars of our 10-Year Strategy. Focus on essentials that directly improve lives, security and dignity of our people. No vanity projects. Furthermore, I direct your immediate attention to the welfare of Local Government staff. Timely payment of salaries and entitlements is non-negotiable. In the same vein, all workers must report to their duty posts promptly. Productivity and discipline must be restored.
As he bade them farewell in their tortures grassroots governance voyage, he charged:
“The path ahead is steep, but the destination is worth the climb. You are the critical keystone for our long-term plan to transform Borno state. The legacy you leave begins today, with your integrity, your humility and your unwavering commitment to service. I have faith that you will be the leaders Borno State needs.”
Zulum, on one hand, and the massive assemblage of well-wishers, Doubting Thomases and pessimists, all on the other, watched the newly inaugurated local council helmsmen as they set their respective ships sailing across the turbulent sea of grassroots governance on a voyage to justify, or otherwise, the governor’s novel grassroots governance formula.
Whatever happens, a desirable wind of change is blowing across Borno State’s grassroots governance, purposefully for the lasting good of a state rising from the ruins of terror.
Dauda Iliya is the Special Adviser on Media/Spokesperson to the Borno State Governor
