Zulum unveils N1b empowerment, 500 electric tricycles to enhance livelihoods

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has launched a N1 billion empowerment programme, in addition to 500 electric Keke Napep tricycles, for 1,000 operators in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere.

The eco-friendly electric tricycles were inaugurated on 20th December 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of Governor Zulum’s efforts to improve transportation and ease economic hardship in the state.

Launching the empowerment programme at the Government House, Governor Zulum said the initiative was designed to empower less-privileged Keke Napep riders while reducing transportation costs for residents across the Metropolitan Council and Jere local government area.

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

“These electric tricycles were procured some months ago, and what we are witnessing today is their formal distribution to less-privileged Keke Napep riders. These eco-friendly tricycles represent a significant step towards modernising transportation while promoting environmental sustainability,” he added.

Zulum noted that while a designated committee would oversee the payment structure for the tricycles, the state government would subsidise 3 per cent of the cost to ensure affordability for beneficiaries.

“The government will subsidise part of the cost by 3 per cent to make them affordable. The tricycles are being given to riders with the dual purpose of empowering them economically and reducing transportation costs for the public,” he announced.

“Beneficiaries are expected to utilise the tricycles in accordance with the rules and guidelines already provided by the committee. Compliance is essential to ensure order, accountability, and the long-term success of the programme,” he said.

The governor also announced that 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders drawn from 25 associations across the Metropolitan Council and Jere would each receive ₦50,000 in financial assistance to cushion the effects of economic hardship.

“We have approved a financial intervention amounting to ₦1 billion to support transportation workers and cushion the impact of hardship on their livelihood. A total of 16,783 registered Keke Napep riders will each receive ₦50,000 in financial support.

The governor congratulated all 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.

Chairman of Borno State Empowerment Committee, Hon Saina Buba, said each tricycle can cover 65 kilometres on a single charge.

He explained that the beneficiaries were carefully identified and selected by the Associations’ leadership, stressing that no one was influenced by the governor or government officials.