Maiduguri: Maiduguri came alive on Thursday as Governor Babagana Zulum hosted Kanuri kinsmen from 10 countries at the Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit, a landmark gathering designed to strengthen unity and cultural ties across borders.
Speaking in Kanuri as chief host, Governor Zulum urged delegates to look beyond the ceremony and channel the summit’s energy into practical initiatives — educational exchanges, entrepreneurial collaborations, and socio-economic projects to uplift Kanuri communities worldwide. To underscore his commitment, he announced scholarships for 150 students drawn from countries that once formed part of the historic Kanem-Borno empire.
The summit drew an impressive roster of dignitaries. The Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, was represented by the Governor of Lac Province, Maj.-Gen. Saleh Tidjani. Also in attendance were Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, elder statesman Amb. Babagana Kingibe, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Ali Ndume, and Kaka Shehu. Members of the House of Representatives, speakers of the Borno and Yobe Houses of Assembly, Emirs and Chiefs from across Nigeria, commissioners, and senior officials of Borno State added to the occasion’s weight.
According to reports, the summit brought together 161 Emirs, high-profile government officials, and thousands of Kanuri delegates from Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, the Central African Republic, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. The sheer scale of participation underscored the Kanuri people’s enduring transnational bonds.
Beyond the speeches, the summit was a vibrant cultural showcase. Delegations from across Africa performed traditional dances and displays, weaving together a tapestry of shared heritage. For many, it was not just a political or cultural event, but a reaffirmation of identity across borders.
The gathering also carried historical weight. The Kanem-Borno Empire, which flourished for more than 1,000 years from the 9th to the 19th century, was one of Africa’s greatest and longest-lasting empires. Centered around Lake Chad, it encompassed parts of present-day Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Libya. By convening descendants from across this vast geography, the summit sought to rebuild kinship networks and create a supportive global community capable of tackling shared development challenges.
Governor Zulum framed the summit as a deliberate effort to ensure that the illustrious legacy of Kanem-Borno continues to inspire future generations. “Our history is our strength,” he told delegates, “and our unity is the foundation for progress.”
Security Dimension
Beyond unity and cultural ties, findings by TheDiggerNews reveal that the Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit carries strategic purposes directly linked to the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in Borno State:
Post-Insurgency Recovery Strategy: The summit forms part of Borno’s recovery plan after 15 years of conflict with Boko Haram and ISWAP, which killed thousands and displaced over three million people. It aims to reunite the Kanuri people and promote peace now that relative calm has returned.
Peacebuilding Through Cultural Unity: Organizers described the summit as a platform for “socialization, knowledge sharing, networking, and peace building,” designed to brainstorm lasting solutions to security challenges in Borno and the wider Lake Chad Basin.
Regional Stability: With the theme “Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability”, the summit seeks to leverage cultural heritage to foster value reorientation and societal growth, rebuilding transnational kinship networks to tackle challenges collaboratively.
Countering Extremism Through Identity: Governor Zulum acknowledged the lingering impact of insurgency but emphasized cultural preservation and unity as key to rebuilding, believing they will bring peace and development to the region.
In essence, the summit represents a soft-power approach to security — leveraging cultural unity, shared identity, and transnational cooperation to rebuild social cohesion after years of violent extremism.
