Zulum Advocates for Port Access to Boost Borno Exports

Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum is intensifying efforts to position Borno for global markets by enhancing port access to unlock the state's export potential.

He held discussions with the management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) in Lagos, emphasizing the need to expand port infrastructure to facilitate trade from Nigeria's northeast. Zulum highlighted the importance of creating export pathways to transform Borno's agrarian economy and attract investment.

The governor received NPA Managing Director Abubakar Dantsoho and Executive Director Ibrahim Abba Umar, focusing on linking local agricultural production and small-scale manufacturing to international markets. Zulum's administration, since 2019, has aimed to diversify the economy, which has been heavily reliant on federal allocations and affected by insurgency.

A key project is the Maiduguri dry inland port, which is expected to reduce transport costs and improve logistics. Additionally, Zulum is advancing plans for a free trade zone in Banki, near Cameroon, to stimulate industrial growth and enhance cross-border trade.