Borno Development Foundation, NESG And The Move Towards A New Borno

I was a witness to history when Borno Development Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG, to help the beleaguered people of Borno get back on their feet and shed off the yoke of insurgency and insecurity.

I was not there as an observer but as a witness to history. History that won’t be easy to be made but nonetheless achievable. And that is why these words rang in my ear as the foundation of that history was being laid:

“Our goal is to create an enduring, credible, and non-partisan platform that can catalyse the transformation of Borno and the wider region. The Borno Development Foundation (BDF) represents the collective commitment of those who believe that the future of our people must be built on a foundation of resilience, self-reliance, and strategic partnerships.”

These were the words of retired Air Marshal Allamin Daggash, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the BDF at the formal launch of the Borno Development Foundation and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Economic Summit Group (NESG).

The signing of the MoU, recently  represents a deliberate step away from crisis-mode development models toward institutionalised, data-driven, and community-anchored solutions.

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The BDF is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation aimed at long-term socioeconomic renewal for the beleaguered people of Borno State and by extension, the Northeast.

The launch of the Borno Development Foundation and its landmark MoU with the NESG is a journey that began in 2020. It is the product of years of deep reflection, strategic planning, and institution-building by distinguished sons and daughters of Borno. United by a shared belief that fragmented, short-term interventions could no longer meet the scale of the region’s challenges, this important lever of intervention committed to a bold new path — building a credible platform to mobilize resources, harness expertise, and forge partnerships with  purpose.

This current effort builds on an earlier initiative, the Borno Palliatives Support Project, which was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver relief to thousands of vulnerable families.

I must admit that this move  is driven by a bold ambition: to establish the Foundation as a non-governmental institution in the region. This is why the partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was not only strategic, but essential. It reflects a shared dedication to sustainable, long-term development of the region, rooted in credibility, collaboration, and systems that outlast headlines.

Expressing his genuine delight at the partnership between his organisation and BDF, Olaniyi Yusuf, Chairman of the NESG, highlighted the significance of the signing of the MoU. In his words:

“Borno’s recovery and resurgence are crucial to the stability and prosperity of Nigeria as a whole “.

Going by the provisions of the MoU, the NESG would collaborate with the BDF to develop operational frameworks, strengthen governance systems, and guide the Foundation through the early complexities of institutional growth.

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen who is the Chairman of the Board of Governors, had this to say:

“The journey from concept to strategy was shaped in close coordination with NESG’s experts. We are tapping into their capacity, their networks, and their insight; not because we lacked vision, but because we understand the value of building with others who have walked similar paths.”

When I listened to Tayo Aduloju, the CEO of NESG, speak, he said the relationship goes beyond advisory. Explaining, he said the MoU between the BDF and the NESG provides for the co-convening of the Annual Northern Economic Summit, a platform expected to become a  regional forum for economic dialogue, investment, and policy alignment in Northern Nigeria. The Summit, set to debut later in 2026, will bring together state governments, federal agencies, private sector players, development partners, and community leaders; not for ceremonial speeches, but for coordinated action.

Their intervention is intended to anchor the Foundation’s operations based on sound principles of transparency, professionalism, and inclusivity.

These early wins will not only improve lives — they will lay the groundwork for long-term credibility and community buy-in.

Part of its immediate goals include the establishment of a Knowledge and Resource Centre to support data-driven interventions, the onboarding of vetted implementing partners, and the design of community engagement mechanisms that will ensure citizen participation in development initiatives.

I must admit that it would never be stroll in the park to make this work. There will be bumps along the road and there will be challenges. Not the least is the treacherous terrain that that part of Nigeria typifies. Then the intention must not be seen to be a honest one, it must also be known and believed to be honest so as to buy in the confidence of the people. That’s the only way BDF can rewrite the history of Borno. It is doable.

 – Madaki writes from Abuja