Zulum Bags Commonwealth ‘Nurses-Friendly Governor’ Award for Health, IDP Interventions

Zulum Bags Commonwealth ‘Nurses-Friendly Governor’ Award for Health, IDP Interventions

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has been recognised on the international stage with a Nurses-Friendly Governors’ Award at the 2026 Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Conference held in Abuja.

The honour, presented during the gathering of health professionals from across Commonwealth countries, highlights Zulum’s contributions to healthcare development and humanitarian support, particularly for internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The conference, organised under the theme “Towards Excellence: Nurses and Midwives Working Together for Quality Practice, Education and Regulation,” attracted participants from various parts of the world, including policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in the health sector.

Presenting the award, Kathleen McCourt, President of the Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, commended the Borno governor for what she described as a people-centred leadership style. She pointed to his administration’s large-scale housing programmes for displaced communities and sustained investments in health infrastructure as key factors behind the recognition.

According to her, Zulum’s efforts in rebuilding lives and strengthening public health systems have positioned him as a model for subnational leadership within the Commonwealth.

The governor was represented at the event by Professor Abubakar Kullima, Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, alongside his Senior Technical Assistant on Print and Digital Communications, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi.

Earlier, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Malam Haruna Mamman, explained that the selection of awardees followed a detailed review process guided by clearly defined criteria.

Other state governors honoured at the event included those from Nasarawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Lagos, Katsina, Plateau, Anambra and Akwa Ibom states.

Zulum’s administration has been widely noted for its expansive development drive. Beyond establishing two colleges of nursing in different parts of the state, the governor has overseen a steady rise in completed projects—ranging from over 120 within his first 100 days in office to approximately 1,500 capital projects by his seventh year.

Organisers of the conference said the award reflects measurable progress in strengthening healthcare delivery systems and improving the welfare of vulnerable populations under his leadership.