Zulum Launches 500 Electric Tricycles to Boost Clean Environment, Create Jobs

Zulum Launches 500 Electric Tricycles to Boost Clean Environment, Create Jobs

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has unveiled the distribution of 500 electric tricycles worth ₦1 billion to promote a cleaner environment and create employment opportunities for youths in the state.

The youth employment initiative targets about 1,000 Keke Napep operators across Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Government Area.

The environmentally friendly electric tricycles were earlier inaugurated on December 20, 2025, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to modernise transportation and ease economic hardship in the state.

Speaking at the launch of the empowerment programme on Thursday at the Government House, Maiduguri, Governor Zulum said:
“The e-tricycles initiative was designed to empower less-privileged Keke Napep riders and reduce transportation costs for commuters across Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Area.”

He added:
“I am privileged to launch this empowerment programme today for about 1,000 beneficiaries among tricycle riders in Maiduguri and Jere, to the glory of God and for the benefit of humanity.”

Zulum explained that the tricycles were procured months ago, and the event marked their formal distribution to beneficiaries.

“These eco-friendly tricycles represent a significant step towards modernising transportation while promoting environmental sustainability and mitigating climate change in the state,” he said.

The governor disclosed that a designated committee would oversee the payment structure, while the state government would subsidise 30 percent of the cost to make the tricycles affordable.

He further noted:
“The e-tricycles are being given to riders with the dual purpose of empowering them economically and reducing transportation costs for the public.”

Zulum urged beneficiaries to strictly adhere to the guidelines provided by the committee, stressing that compliance is key to ensuring accountability and the long-term success of the programme.

The governor also revealed that 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders from 25 associations across Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere would each receive ₦50,000 as financial support to cushion economic hardship.

“We have approved a financial intervention amounting to ₦1 billion to support transportation workers and ease the impact of hardship on their livelihoods,” he said.

He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make productive use of the opportunity, while commending the organising committee and the Commissioner for Transportation for successfully coordinating the initiative.

Earlier, Chairman of the Borno State Empowerment Committee (BOEC), Hon. Saina Buba, said each tricycle can cover up to 65 kilometres on a single charge.

He added that beneficiaries were carefully selected by association leaders, noting that the process was free from government interference.