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By Salihu Ndahi, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday launched a $1 billion empowerment programme, as well as 500 Keke Napep electric tricycles, for 1,000 operators in Maiduguri and Jere metropolis.
The eco-friendly electric tricycles were inaugurated on December 20, 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of Governor Zulum’s efforts to modernize transportation and ease the state’s economic woes.
Launching the empowerment program at Government House, Governor Zulum said the initiative was designed to empower less privileged Keke Napep cyclists while reducing transport costs for residents in Jere Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area.
“I am privileged to launch this empowerment program today for around 1,000 beneficiaries among the cyclists of Maiduguri and Jere, to the glory of God and the benefit of humanity,” Zulum said.
“These electric tricycles were purchased a few months ago and what we witness today is their formal distribution to the less privileged Keke Napep riders. These eco-friendly tricycles represent a significant step towards modernizing transportation while promoting environmental sustainability,” he added.
Zulum noted that while a designated committee would oversee the payment structure for the tricycles, the state government would subsidize 30% of the cost to ensure affordability for beneficiaries.
“The government will subsidize a 30% portion of the costs to make them affordable. The tricycles will be provided to cyclists with the dual purpose of empowering them financially and reducing transportation costs for the public,” he announced.
“The beneficiaries are expected to use the tricycles in accordance with the rules and guidelines already provided by the committee. Compliance is essential to ensure order, accountability and long-term success of the programme,” he said.
The governor also announced that 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders from 25 associations in the Metropolitan Council and Jere will each receive ₦50,000 in financial assistance to cushion the effects of economic hardship.
“We have approved a financial intervention of ₦1 billion to support transport workers and cushion the impact of hardship on their livelihoods. A total of 16,783 registered Keke Napep passengers will each receive ₦50,000 in financial support.
The governor congratulated all the beneficiaries and urged them to make productive use of the opportunity, commending the organizing committee and the transport commissioner for successfully coordinating the initiative.
The Chairman of Borno State Empowerment Committee, Hon Saina Buba, said each tricycle can travel 65 kilometers on a single charge.
He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully identified and selected by the associations’ leaders, stressing that none were influenced by the governor or government officials.
The event was attended by Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, House of Representatives members Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis and Hon. Bukar Talba; State Chairman of APC; members of the State Assembly; Secretary to the State Government, Acting Head of Service; acting chief of staff and other government officials.
