Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved the immediate commencement of direct payment of monthly statutory allocations to the accounts of the state’s 27 local government areas.
The Acting Governor, Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, announced the approval on Thursday while presiding over the swearing-in ceremony of the 27 newly elected local government chairpersons.
Kadafur stated that the directive aligns with the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy and President Bola Tinubu’s call for compliance in December 2025.
He emphasized that the move aims to empower local council chairmen by granting them direct access to their funds to foster development at the grassroots.
“You should be accessible to your people. You know our Governor is dedicated to developing our state,” Kadafur told the new chairmen. “We are looking up to you at the grassroots to make sure whatever goes to the chairman of a local government is transparent and accountable for every naira and kobo you receive.”
He added: “Borno is the only state where local governments receive their allocations directly. This is a credit to His Excellency and is born out of transparency to ensure that governance requires collective hands on deck. The era of local government complaining about bureaucracy in approving funds to you is gone.”
The Acting Governor charged the new chairmen to prioritize the welfare of staff and ensure the prompt payment of salaries, warning that the administration would continue to publish allocation figures to ensure public accountability.
“I direct your immediate attention to the welfare of local government staff. Timely payment of salary and entitlements is non-negotiable. In the same vein, ensure that all workers must report to their duty posts promptly; productivity and discipline must be restored,” he warned.
The event was attended by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Tahir Monguno; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; State APC Chairman, Bello Ayuba; and other senior government officials.