Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has been honoured with the African Leadership Award for Good Governance in recognition of his administration’s commitment to effective service delivery, transparency and impactful reforms in critical sectors.
A statement issued by the Commissioner of Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon Abdullahi Bego said the award was presented to the governor at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA), organised by the Africa Leadership Organisation (ALO) under the auspices of the African Leadership Magazine, during a ceremony at the UK House of Lords in London.
Former President of Tanzania, Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who chairs the Africa Leadership Organisation Global Advisory Board, presented the award to Governor Buni, alongside Lord Dolar Popat, a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords.
According to the organisers, the award recognises Governor Buni’s outstanding leadership and his administration’s investments in healthcare, education, agriculture and other social sectors that have directly improved the lives of the people.
Receiving the award, Governor Buni dedicated the honour to the resilient people of Yobe State, describing it as a motivation to strengthen his administration’s commitment to good governance and quality service delivery.
“This award belongs to the resilient people of Yobe State. It is a springboard that inspires us to do more in promoting good governance and serving our people better,” he said.
Earlier, while delivering a keynote address at a pre-award forum on African Banking, Finance and Economic Leadership at the Hilton London Metropole, Governor Buni shared Yobe’s experience in rebuilding from years of Boko Haram insurgency.
In a paper titled, “Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty: Building Resilience, Inclusion and Shared Prosperity in Africa – The Yobe State Experience”, the governor said community participation, collaboration with security agencies and a robust non-kinetic approach played critical roles in restoring peace and rebuilding public confidence.
He explained that as security improved, his administration reconstructed schools, healthcare facilities and other public infrastructure destroyed by the insurgency, while implementing reforms that have transformed key sectors.
Governor Buni highlighted Yobe’s emergence as Nigeria’s best-performing state in Primary Healthcare Delivery, earning a cumulative $1.2 million performance award from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, as well as the state’s recognition for Public Finance Management, Fiscal Transparency and Accountability under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, which attracted a N5 billion performance grant.
He attributed the achievements to prudent management of public resources, transparency and accountability, while acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increased federal allocations that have enabled states to accelerate development projects.
Governor Buni attended the event alongside the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso Muttaka Darma, and other distinguished African leaders recognised for exemplary public service.
