By Kazeem Waris
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has received the 2026 Quintessence Pan-African Top Leadership Award, dedicating the honour to the people of Borno while calling on Africans in the diaspora to invest their capital, skills and ideas in rebuilding the continent.
Zulum received the award on Friday in New Jersey, United States, at a ceremony attended by prominent Nigerian leaders and diplomats, including Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; former Minister of Finance, Dr Mansur Mukhtar; and former Chief of Staff to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who chaired the event.
The Quintessence Award is presented annually to one African leader and one African-American leader in recognition of distinguished accomplishments and contributions to African history and heritage.
Accepting the award, Zulum said the recognition belonged not only to him but also to people who had contributed to rebuilding communities and creating opportunities for others.
“This recognition is not for me alone, but for the resilient people of Borno, every Nigerian and African who has worked tirelessly to turn ideas into action, and to bring dignity to the lives of our people,” he said.
Leadership is building ladders of opportunity
Reflecting on his upbringing in a farming community in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, the governor said his early experiences shaped his understanding of leadership as a responsibility to create opportunities for others.
“Leadership is not about grand titles, but about building ladders of opportunity so everyone can climb,” Zulum said.
He used the occasion to highlight efforts by his administration to rebuild Borno following years of insurgency, saying the focus had been on restoring homes, schools, healthcare facilities and other critical infrastructure destroyed or damaged by the conflict.
According to him, more than 30,000 homes, schools, clinics and other public facilities have been reconstructed since he assumed office in 2019.
He said 326 projects were completed within his first year in office, including more than 6,000 houses for families displaced by the insurgency, while over 1,000 capital projects had been delivered over the past six years.
Zulum said the projects should not be viewed merely as statistics.
He explained that every reconstructed house represented a family regaining shelter, every school provided an opportunity for children to return to learning, while every health facility offered communities access to medical care.
Zulum to diaspora: Invest beyond remittances
The governor also used the international platform to appeal to Nigerians and other Africans living abroad to increase investments in the continent.
He urged the diaspora to look beyond sending money to families and consider investing in productive sectors capable of creating jobs and strengthening communities.
“I call on you to invest back home — not just your capital, but your skills and ideas,” he said.
“Every factory you build, every school you help fund, is an investment in Africa’s greatest resource: our people.”
Zulum said remittances remained important to families across Africa, but argued that directing part of the resources towards productive ventures could have a wider and longer-lasting impact.
He encouraged members of the diaspora and international partners to support start-ups, technology hubs, teacher training programmes, healthcare initiatives and institutions capable of developing Africa’s human capital.
According to him, Africa’s greatest asset is its young population, making investment in education, healthcare, skills and creativity critical to the continent’s future.
Leaders are enablers
Zulum also challenged Nigerians and Africans to see leadership as a responsibility that extends beyond political office.
He urged teachers, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, professionals and other citizens to contribute to the development of their communities rather than waiting for official positions before making an impact.
“My message today is that leaders are enablers, not distant rulers,” he said.
The governor was accompanied to the event by the First Lady of Borno State, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum; Chief Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development, Partnership and Humanitarian Support, Dr Mairo Mandara; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Zuwaira Gambo; and Chairman of the Governing Board of Kashim Ibrahim Teaching Hospital, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo.
Also present were Dr Thameer Kezamal and Mr Huber Shaiyen, who chaired the Borno Investment Roundtable, among other dignitaries.
