Borno State has come under fire for spending ₦10.8 billion on repentant Boko Haram members while basic public services suffer nationwide neglect.
A budget review shows the state prioritized former insurgents over hospitals, schools, roads, and water.
From January to September 2024, Borno disbursed ₦3.4 billion on disarmament and reintegration. The 2025 budget commits an extra ₦7.4 billion, totaling ₦10.8 billion. These funds are meant to rehabilitate former Boko Haram fighters.
Meanwhile, sectors critical to survival have been sidelined. Capital funding for the State Basic Education Board is just ₦11 billion barely more than the reintegration fund.
The State Primary Healthcare Board gets ₦8.7 billion, also less than the ex-militant package.
In comparison, water infrastructure is severely underfunded.
Just ₦359 million went into water projects during the first nine months of 2024. The entire 2025 budget for water is only ₦4.3 billionless than half the reintegration sum.
Road and school infrastructure funding also shows shocking gaps. Borno allocated only ₦2.6 billion to public school construction and ₦2.035 billion to roads.
Meanwhile, ₦3.4 billion was spent on former terrorists within the same time frame.
Even with these efforts, security remains fragile. Governor Babagana Zulum recently warned that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters are regrouping.
He admitted insurgents now occupy Lake Chad’s Tumbus and the Mandara Hills in Sambisa.
Zulum revealed that more than 300,000 former Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered. Yet, violence persists.
The last attack in Wulgo involved armed drones hitting MNJTF forces. The governor also said ISWAP enjoys international backing.
While the government invests heavily in reintegration, residents still live in fear. Public hospitals are underfunded. Roads are unsafe. Clean water remains a luxury.
Education standards continue to decline. Many are questioning the APC-led government’s priorities.
Critics argue that these funds could save thousands if used to fix infrastructure and protect law-abiding citizens.
Instead, repentant insurgents seem to get better treatment than displaced civilians. For many, the situation is both frustrating and dangerous.