Zulum launches N1 Billion Empowerment, 500 Electric Tricycles to Keke Napep Operators

By Yusuf A Yusuf, Damaturu 

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, 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 modernize 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 toward modernizing 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 subsidize 30 percent of the cost to ensure affordability for beneficiaries.

“The government will subsidize part of the cost by 30 percent 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 utilize 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 organizing 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 kilometers on a single charge.

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

The event was attended by the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; Speaker Borno State House of Assembly, House of Representatives members Hon. Abdulkadir Rahis and Hon. Bukar Talba; APC State Chairman; members of State Assembly; Secretary to the State Government, acting Head of Service; acting Chief of Staff and other government officials.

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