Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has launched the distribution of Ramadan relief materials to 300,000 vulnerable households across the state’s 27 local government areas, in one of the largest social support interventions this year.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Ramat Square in Maiduguri on Tuesday, 17 February, 2026, marks the beginning of a statewide exercise aimed at easing the economic hardship faced by residents during the holy month of Ramadan.
Under the scheme, each beneficiary household will receive a bag of rice, a bag of millet and 10 kilogrammes of sugar.
Addressing members of the distribution committee and government officials at the event, Zulum issued a stern warning against diversion of the relief materials, insisting that the exercise must be conducted with strict accountability.
He said: “These items are not for sale. They are not meant for your friends or family members who do not need them.”
He stressed that the palliatives are intended for widows, orphans, internally displaced persons, struggling farmers and low-income earners grappling with rising living costs. Any official found compromising the process, he warned, would face legal consequences.
Zulum emphasised that fairness and transparency must guide the operation to ensure that the most vulnerable residents benefit from the intervention.
In a move reflecting religious inclusivity, the governor directed that Christian residents observing Lent — which coincides with Ramadan this year — should also benefit from the distribution.
He noted that his administration has consistently supported Christian communities, particularly during major religious celebrations. Beyond annual Christmas food distributions, the state government also provides free transportation for non-indigenous Christians travelling to celebrate the festive season with their families outside Borno.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Borno Central Senatorial District, Kaka Shehu Lawan, and the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, praised the governor’s intervention, describing it as timely and critical in light of ongoing economic pressures.
Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Ali Abdullahi Isa, assured residents that the agency has put mechanisms in place to ensure a smooth and orderly distribution process across all local government areas.
The event drew a large turnout of senior government officials, including members of the House of Representatives, the Speaker and principal officers of the Borno State House of Assembly, and other key stakeholders.
With the rollout now underway, the Borno State Government says the exercise is part of broader efforts to strengthen social safety nets and support communities still recovering from years of insurgency and economic disruption.
