Babagana Zulum

Babagana Umara Zulum is a Nigerian professor, engineer, and politician who currently serves as the Governor of Borno State. He is recognized for his extensive academic background and his proactive leadership in addressing the multifaceted challenges, particularly the ongoing insurgency, facing his state.Early Life and Education Babagana Umara Zulum was born on August 25, 1969, in Zulum village in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State. Despite a challenging start, which included working as a taxi driver and commercial truck operator to fund his education, Zulum pursued his academic ambitions rigorously. He earned a National Diploma in Engineering from Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, in 1990. He then proceeded to the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), where he obtained a degree in Agricultural Engineering in 1994. Furthering his studies, Zulum received a Master's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Ibadan in 1998, and a PhD in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering from the University of Maiduguri in 2009.Career Progression Zulum’s professional career began in the civil service before transitioning into academia. He worked as an assistant technical officer in the Borno State Ministry of Agriculture from 1989 to 1990. He later joined Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, where he rose through the ranks from assistant lecturer to a full lecturer. In 2000, he transferred his services to the University of Maiduguri as an academic staff member in the Department of Agricultural Engineering. Zulum distinguished himself in academia, eventually achieving the position of Professor in 2014. During his time at UNIMAID, he also held administrative positions, including Deputy Dean and Acting Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.Major Achievements and Political Career Zulum’s entry into politics began with his appointment as the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, in 2011. He was later appointed as the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RRR) by the then-Governor Kashim Shettima in 2015. In this role, he managed the massive rebuilding efforts across Borno State following destruction caused by the Boko Haram insurgency. His efficiency, transparency, and dedication in overseeing the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, and residential areas garnered widespread acclaim. In 2018, Zulum emerged as the gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC). He won the 2019 general election and was sworn in as the Governor of Borno State on May 29, 2019. He was re-elected for a second term in 2023. As Governor, Zulum’s major achievements are centered on security, education, healthcare, and infrastructure. * **Security and Resettlement:** His administration has prioritized the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes, often personally leading excursions to volatile regions. He is widely praised for his courage and commitment to ending the insurgency, frequently visiting frontline areas to boost the morale of troops and citizens. * **Education Reform:** Zulum launched ambitious programs to revitalize the education sector, focusing on renovating destroyed schools and enrolling out-of-school children, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. * **Infrastructure:** His government has undertaken significant infrastructure projects, including building new roads, housing estates, and healthcare facilities across the state.Current Status Professor Babagana Umara Zulum is currently serving his second term as the Governor of Borno State. He remains a highly influential political figure in Nigeria, known for his hands-on approach to governance and his firm commitment to the reconstruction and recovery of Borno State from years of conflict. His leadership style, characterized by frugality and relentless work ethic, has earned him both national and international recognition.