Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, has stepped up efforts to reposition the state as an export-driven economy, holding strategic discussions with the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos to improve access to maritime infrastructure for producers in the North-East.
During the meeting on Tuesday, Zulum made a strong case for integrating businesses from Borno into Nigeria’s port system, stressing that improved access to export channels is key to transforming the state’s largely agrarian economy into a more competitive hub for trade, industry, and investment.
He was received by the NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho, alongside Executive Director, Ibrahim Abba Umar.
Zulum said his administration is working to connect local farmers and small-scale manufacturers to both regional and international markets, noting that logistics remains one of the biggest barriers to economic growth in the North-East.
The visit reflects a broader economic direction in Borno since 2019, as the state government continues efforts to rebuild and diversify its economy after years of insurgency and infrastructure challenges.
At the centre of this plan is the proposed Maiduguri Dry Inland Port, a project Zulum has consistently advocated for. The facility is designed to bring cargo and shipping services closer to northern states, reducing dependence on coastal ports.
Once completed, the dry port is expected to lower transportation costs, ease congestion at seaports, improve export efficiency, and create new job opportunities across the region.
Beyond this, Zulum is also driving plans under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), including the development of a Free Trade Zone in Banki, a border town close to Cameroon.
The proposed zone is expected to boost cross-border commerce, attract investors, and position Borno as a key trade link between West and Central Africa.
Together, the dry inland port and the Banki Free Trade Zone form the foundation of what officials describe as a long-term strategy to rebuild the state’s economy through production and trade rather than federal allocations.
With the Lagos engagement, the Zulum administration is signalling a renewed push to turn these plans into reality, focusing on infrastructure, market access, and regional integration as the pillars of Borno’s economic future.
