Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving N68bn in operational support for the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant.
The governor described the intervention as timely, saying it would help sustain electricity supply, support businesses, improve livelihoods, and strengthen security efforts in Borno State. The approval covers N2bn monthly operational expenditure from March 2026 to December 2028, bringing the total support to N68bn.
Zulum made the commendation in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya. He said the funding would help close the existing financial gap affecting the operation of the Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant, also known as MEPP.
According to the governor, the power plant remains one of the most important federal interventions in Borno, especially after insurgents destroyed power infrastructure and left parts of the state without public electricity supply for a long period. The emergency power project was introduced in 2021 to respond to that crisis and restore power to Maiduguri and surrounding areas.
Zulum also praised the role of the Federal Government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited in supporting the project. He noted that the plant had helped bring back economic activities, create jobs, and assist small and medium-scale businesses that depend on electricity to survive.
The Maiduguri Emergency Power Plant was later upgraded to 50 megawatts in December 2023. The governor said the improved supply of electricity has not only boosted the economy but also contributed to security by reducing hardship and making communities less vulnerable to criminal and insurgent activities.
For many residents and business owners in Maiduguri, stable power remains a major part of recovery after years of insecurity. Zulum said Tinubu’s approval would help ensure the plant continues to operate and serve the people of Borno State.
The governor further stated that the support shows the Federal Government’s commitment to rebuilding areas affected by insurgency and improving the quality of life of people in the North-East.
