By Ali Mamman Shuwa, Maiduguri-Based Broadcast Journalist
Borno State stands at a defining moment in its history. Emerging from years of insurgency and economic disruption, the administration of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has embarked on an audacious mission — not merely to rebuild what was destroyed, but to create a new economic architecture that will sustain generations to come. At the heart of this transformation is the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency (Borno-Invest) and its dynamic Chairman and Chief Investment Adviser to the Governor, Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, whose strategic leadership is rapidly repositioning Borno as a premier investment destination in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.
This remarkable transformation has not gone unnoticed. Recently, BusinessDay Media Limited nominated His Excellency Governor Zulum for the prestigious 2025 Best Performing Governor Competitive/Investment Readiness Awards (SCIRA). The nomination, received on behalf of the Governor by Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, is a testament to the extraordinary strides the administration has made in rebuilding infrastructure, reviving moribund industries, and restoring livelihoods as part of the state’s medium- and long-term post-insurgency recovery effort.
Borno State occupies a unique and enviable geographical position. Sharing international borders with Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the state serves as the undisputed gateway to regional trade within the Lake Chad Basin. This strategic location, coupled with vast arable land, rich mineral deposits and a youthful population, presents enormous opportunities for commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and cross-border business activities. Under Governor Zulum’s visionary leadership, these advantages are being systematically harnessed to drive economic growth and attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Few appointments have signaled Borno’s seriousness about economic transformation as much as the appointment of Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori as Chairman of Borno-Invest and Chief Investment Adviser to the Governor. With a distinguished career in investment promotion, public-private partnerships and development finance, Dr. Kori brings to the role a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic foresight and unwavering commitment to the prosperity of Borno State. Since assuming office, Dr. Kori has embarked on a comprehensive reform agenda designed to create an enabling environment for private sector participation. His leadership has been defined by bold initiatives, transparent processes, and a relentless focus on delivering results. From the development of investor-friendly policies to the simplification of business registration procedures, Dr. Kori has ensured that Borno-Invest is not just a government agency but a genuine partner to investors seeking to do business in Borno.
Under his guidance, Borno-Invest has made significant strides in several key areas. One of the agency’s flagship initiatives has been the establishment of a functional One-Stop Investment Facility (OSIF), which streamlines approvals and reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks for investors. This mechanism, anchored in the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency Law, 2023 (as amended), ensures that investors can obtain all necessary permits, licenses and approvals from a single location — saving time, reducing costs and enhancing transparency. Dr. Kori has also championed the full implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) under the World Bank’s Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP). These reforms are designed to improve the ease of doing business, eliminate red tape and create a predictable regulatory environment that inspires investor confidence. Borno is now recognized as one of the leading states in the North-East in terms of business climate reforms, a testament to the Governor’s political will and Dr. Kori’s technical leadership.
Agriculture remains the cornerstone of Borno’s economy, and under Governor Zulum’s administration, the sector has received unprecedented attention. Borno-Invest, under Dr. Kori’s leadership, is actively promoting value-chain development in wheat, rice, maize, sesame, gum arabic and livestock production. The agency is working to attract agro-processing industries that will create jobs, increase revenue generation and enhance food security. The adoption of the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA) has provided a robust legal and social framework for large-scale agricultural investments, ensuring that communities benefit from land allocations while investors enjoy secure tenure and predictable operating conditions. Dr. Kori has personally championed the implementation of FRILIA, recognizing that sustainable agricultural development must be inclusive, responsible and environmentally sound.
The Zulum administration’s massive infrastructure drive has laid a solid foundation for economic growth. From the reconstruction of roads and bridges to the rehabilitation of schools and healthcare facilities, over 1,500 projects have been executed across the state in just seven years. These projects are not merely about physical reconstruction; they are about restoring hope, rebuilding confidence and creating the conditions for private sector investment to flourish. In the housing sector, Governor Zulum has pioneered innovative Public-Private Partnerships, including the completion of 404 housing units in Bakassi GRA and 190 units in Teachers Village through strategic collaborations, and the management of 600 housing units in partnership with security services. These are not just housing projects; they are the foundation of an investment-ready Borno, demonstrating the state’s capacity to deliver large-scale projects in partnership with the private sector.
Borno-Invest is also exploring opportunities in solid minerals, renewable energy and transportation. With confirmed crude oil deposits in the Kolmani River basin, abundant limestone, kaolin, gypsum and other minerals, and significant potential for solar energy, Borno offers a compelling investment proposition for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios. Dr. Kori has been instrumental in identifying and packaging these opportunities, providing investors with critical information and facilitating access to financing through development partners and financial institutions.
Another important dimension of Dr. Kori’s strategy is the strengthening of partnerships with development agencies, financial institutions and international organizations. These collaborations are improving infrastructure, building investor confidence and facilitating access to financing for business ventures. Borno-Invest has also intensified investment roadshows, stakeholders’ engagements and participation in national and international economic forums, showcasing Borno’s comparative advantages to potential investors.
The recent visit of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) project to Borno State is a clear indication of the Federal Government’s recognition of Borno’s progress. The nationwide town-hall and state engagement tour, which took place in Maiduguri, brought together key stakeholders to discuss regulatory reforms and business climate improvements. Dr. Kori delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Governor, reaffirming Borno-Invest’s commitment to cutting red tape, harmonising fees and delivering a seamless investment experience.
The BusinessDay SCIRA nomination is further validation of the work being done. In the company of a distinguished team led by Alh. Dauda Iliya, Special Adviser on Media and Spokesperson to His Excellency, Dr. Kori received this recognition with gratitude and humility — knowing that the greatest reward is the visible transformation of the state. The award celebrates a leader who has demonstrated that investment is the most powerful tool for recovery, and that Borno is not just open for business, but ready to lead the way.
Economic experts believe that Borno’s strategic location bordering three countries gives it a competitive advantage in regional trade. With proper infrastructure, strong institutions and continued investment support, the state can emerge as a major commercial hub connecting Nigeria to neighbouring countries and the wider Central African market. For Governor Zulum, Borno’s transformation is the legacy he has worked tirelessly to build. For Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori, the vision is clear: transforming Borno into a thriving investment destination driven by private sector participation, innovation and sustainable economic development.
To every local and international investor considering Borno State: the machinery is in place. The legal framework is robust. The leadership is committed. The opportunities are real and the returns are waiting. Borno is not just open for business; it is ready to partner with you to build a prosperous future. As Borno State continues on its path of recovery and transformation, the efforts of Governor Zulum and the strategic leadership of Dr. Sa’id Alkali Kori offer hope for a more prosperous and economically vibrant future. The journey may be challenging, but the results are already visible — and now, they are being recognised. Borno is rising, and the world is watching.
Ali Mamman Shuwa is the General Manager of Borno Radio Television (BRTV), Maiduguri, and a distinguished broadcast journalist with over three decades of experience covering the socio-economic development of Borno State.
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