The Borno State Government has approved the employment of 100 unemployed graduates from Biu Local Government Area as part of efforts to reduce unemployment and curb youth involvement in political thuggery and other social vices.
Governor Babagana Zulum announced the recruitment during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Mustapha Mustapha II, describing the initiative as part of his administration’s commitment to empowering young people and promoting lasting peace across the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Iliya, Zulum said the recruitment formed part of a broader strategy to address unemployment, discourage youth involvement in criminal activities and consolidate the gains made in tackling insecurity across Borno.
The governor noted that while incidents of political thuggery had declined significantly since the inception of his administration, creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people remained the most effective way to prevent them from being recruited into violence and other unlawful activities.
He announced that the employment drive would extend beyond Biu, with each of the state’s 27 local government areas allocated 50 employment slots for graduates.
Larger local government areas, including Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, Bama, Askira/Uba and Gwoza, will receive 100 slots each in recognition of their population size and peculiar needs.
During his visit to Southern Borno for the official flag-off of the 2026 wet farming season, Zulum also launched the sale of fertiliser at government-approved subsidised rates for smallholder and returnee farmers and unveiled other empowerment programmes.
“We are here for the flag-off of the wet farming season and the sales of fertiliser at subsidised rates. I am grateful to the people of Biu for the overwhelming support and the warm reception they have always accorded us,” the governor said.
He stressed that empowering unemployed youths was essential to preventing them from being exploited by politicians, criminal groups and other individuals seeking to foment unrest.
“We will be doing a great disservice to our youth if we allow them to continue to engage in thuggery without empowering them. You hardly find the children of prominent politicians, governors, senators, commissioners or even councillors involved in political thuggery,” Zulum said.
The governor directed the Biu Local Government Council to identify 100 unemployed graduates for immediate employment, giving preference to graduates of health-related disciplines, English, Mathematics and Physics, particularly those vulnerable to political manipulation.
“I want Biu Local Government to identify 100 unemployed graduates, preferably those who studied health-related courses, English, Mathematics and Physics, especially among those involved in political thuggery, and we are ready to offer them employment opportunities,” he added.
Zulum also warned against the vandalisation of public infrastructure, especially electricity installations, stating that anyone found sabotaging government assets would face the full weight of the law. He appealed to the Emir of Biu and other community leaders to strengthen collaboration with the government in addressing drug abuse, gangsterism and other social vices threatening the state’s youth.
The governor further disclosed that the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Engr. Mustapha Gubio, would be unveiled next week, noting that 27 aspirants had expressed interest in the position. He urged residents to continue praying for the emergence of the most suitable candidate.
The governor was accompanied on the visit by the Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume; Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Musa Askira; APC State Chairman, Bello Ayuba; commissioners, political leaders and other government officials.