The Deputy Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur has been unanimously elected Chairman of the Nigerian Deputy Governors’ Forum during the body’s meeting on March 28, 2026.
The election of Kadafur is being hailed as a significant milestone for the Team Zulum-Kadafur administration, signaling a national vote of confidence in the synergy between Borno’s executive leadership.
According to a statement by the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, the appointment is a merit-based recognition of Kadafur’s long-standing dedication to public service and his reputation for unwavering loyalty.
Born in the historic city of Biu in 1976, Kadafur’s ascent in the political landscape began at the grassroots level. He first served as the Chairman of Biu Local Government Area in 2008 and was subsequently reappointed to lead the council as Caretaker Chairman on multiple occasions under the administrations of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Kashim Shettima, now the Vice President of Nigeria. His tenure at the local government level was marked by a focus on sustainable urban transport, youth empowerment, and rigorous land management, which solidified his reputation as a visionary administrator.
Since becoming Deputy Governor in 2019, Kadafur has played a pivotal role as a supporting pillar to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s recovery agenda for the state. His administrative competence has been tested and proven on several occasions when Governor Zulum entrusted him with the responsibilities of Acting Governor.
Beyond his general duties, Kadafur oversees the state’s Ministry of Livestock Development, where he is currently spearheading a policy aimed at positioning Borno as a premier exporter of livestock across the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel.
Kadafur’s leadership extends to several high-impact strategic committees, including those focused on the Borno Model for managing repentant insurgents, the repatriation of refugees, and the state’s COVID-19 response. His ability to navigate these complex humanitarian and security challenges has earned him respect far beyond the borders of his home state.
As the new Chairman of the Forum, Kadafur is expected to bring this culture of stability and “Building Borno Back Better” (Bx4) to the national stage, fostering greater collaboration among the nation’s second-in-command officials to drive collective progress across the federation.