Borno launches €61m UN peacebuilding initiative

From Uthman Abubakar, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced the launch of a new €61 million United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding Fund Programme designed to consolidate peace and support long-term recovery efforts across the state over the next two years.

Governor Zulum made the announcement recently while briefing journalists following the conclusion of the fourth UN Offer Board and Peacebuilding Fund Steering Committee meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri.

The meeting marked the official closure of the programme’s initial phase, which received substantial funding and technical support from the governments of Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and other international development partners over the past two years.

Highlighting the successful deployment of earlier funds for peacebuilding initiatives, Governor Zulum noted that the achievements of the previous phase paved the way for the expanded intervention.

“Another new phase of the UN offer has also been launched, amounting to about 61 million euros, which should be spent within the next two years,” Governor Zulum stated.

He revealed that the German government has already committed approximately €10 million to the new basket fund, expressing optimism that the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and additional partners will contribute further.

The governor added that the Borno State Government will also contribute state funds to demonstrate local ownership and support seamless implementation.

Zulum expressed appreciation to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and international partners for their sustained support in rebuilding communities affected by insurgency.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, praised Borno State’s multi-partner coordination framework.

He described it as a benchmark model for post-conflict recovery that could be replicated nationally and internationally.

Senator Bagudu emphasized that the “Borno model” provides a unified funding framework and shared strategic vision among the state government, the United Nations, and international donors to tackle post-insurgency development in a coordinated manner.

The Chargé d’Affaires of Germany to Nigeria, Johannes Lehne, confirmed his country’s commitment to the new phase, stating: “We had a very successful meeting on the implementation of the Borno law model. Germany will commit another 10 million Euros to this endeavour for the next two years, and we hope under the leadership of the governor and the government of Nigeria this will be a big success and bring peace and prosperity to Borno State.”

Concluding the meeting, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Malick Fall, assured that international stakeholders remain fully aligned to address regional challenges, commending the leadership and vision demonstrated by both the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning and the Borno State Government.