Zulum Appoints Sa’id Kori as Chief Investment Adviser, Calls Appointment a Game-Changer for Borno’s Economy

Strategic Appointment Marks a New Era for Borno State’s Economic Development

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has made a significant move in the realm of economic governance by appointing Dr Sa’id Alkali Kori as his Chief Investment Adviser and Pioneer Chairman of the Governing Board of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency (BOIPA). This decision is seen as a pivotal step towards transforming the state’s economy post-conflict. The appointment was officially announced on Tuesday, with Malam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, highlighting its importance.

The announcement comes after the enactment of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency (Amendment No. 1) Law, 2026, by the State House of Assembly. This law establishes a governing board for the agency and introduces the new position of Chief Investment Adviser to the Governor. According to Gusau, Dr Kori is a distinguished investment expert, development strategist, and infrastructure finance professional whose experience in structuring over $200 million in infrastructure financing across various sectors positions him well for this role.

Dr Kori’s background includes a notable tenure at Family Homes Funds Limited, where he delivered more than 15,000 affordable housing units through innovative public-private partnership models. He also holds current roles as Honorary Special Adviser to the Yobe State Governor and Technical Adviser to the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum.

Governor Zulum, speaking through his spokesman, described the appointment as a strategic move to bring world-class expertise into the heart of the state’s economic governance. He emphasized that Dr Kori’s dual role would ensure seamless alignment between investment policy formulation and execution. The Governor further noted that the new Chief Investment Adviser would serve as the principal liaison between the agency and the Governor, while also chairing the governing board and approving investment proposals as delegated by the board.

In his first official statement following the announcement, Dr Kori expressed profound gratitude to Governor Zulum for the trust reposed in him. He described the appointment as both an honour and a responsibility he accepts with humility and unwavering resolve. Dr Kori praised the Governor’s dedication to the reconstruction and sustainable development of Borno State, noting that His Excellency’s vision for an economically vibrant and investment-driven Borno resonates deeply with him.

Dr Kori extended warm felicitations to his colleagues on the newly constituted governing board, inviting each member to join him in approaching their collective responsibility with a singular focus on building an investment promotion machinery that is transparent, efficient, and results-oriented. He acknowledged that each member had been carefully selected for their expertise, experience, and integrity, and urged them to work collaboratively, setting aside all other considerations to serve the state that has entrusted them with this mandate.

To the people of Borno State, Dr Kori offered a direct assurance, stating that the board’s work would ultimately be measured by its impact on their lives, by the jobs created for youth, the businesses empowered for women, the infrastructure that reaches communities, and the prosperity that becomes accessible to every hardworking citizen. He acknowledged that Borno has endured much but noted that the state’s resilience is legendary, pledging to work tirelessly to ensure that Borno’s vast potential in agriculture, livestock, solid minerals, trade, and services is unlocked for the benefit of its people.

In a direct message to the investment community, Dr Kori declared that Borno State is open for business and ready to work with investors. He emphasized that capital flows where there is clarity, predictability, and a genuine partnership mindset, outlining the investment environment being built under Governor Zulum’s leadership, defined by transparent procedures, robust legal frameworks, bankable projects developed with international best practices, and a government that honours its commitments and sees investors as partners in development.

Dr Kori concluded with a firm commitment that the board would be defined not by rhetoric but by results, pledging effectiveness in processing investment proposals and removing bottlenecks, transparency in all dealings, speed in decision-making recognizing that in investment time is capital, and inclusivity in ensuring that the benefits of investment reach all parts of the state and all segments of society.

He thanked Governor Zulum, the Borno State House of Assembly, traditional institutions, community leaders, and all stakeholders who continue to support the peace and stability upon which all investment depends.

Dr Kori brings to the role a PhD in Built Environment with specialisation in Innovation Economics from the University of Liverpool, an MSc in Digital Construction from the University of Salford, and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the Federal University of Technology, Yola. His industry recognition includes the African Construction Personality of the Year 2024 award, underscoring his impact at the nexus of development strategy, investment finance, and execution.

The governing board Dr Kori will chair includes representatives from ten key ministries and agencies including Commerce, Trade and Industries, Borno State Geographic Information Service, Works, Housing and Energy, Justice, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Livestock, Planning, Finance, and Local Government and Emirate Affairs, each represented by an official not below the rank of director serving as an ex-officio member.

The board also includes three representatives from the state’s three senatorial zones with one seat reserved for a woman, and two representatives from the organised private sector, while the Director-General of BOIPA will serve as secretary to the board.

Under the new law, the governing board is empowered to serve as the policy-making body on investment promotion and public-private partnerships for the state government, promoting transparent procedures for working with investors, developing appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks for investment, and articulating growth strategies for providing support and incentives to grow local enterprise.

The formal inauguration of the governing board is expected to take place in the coming weeks, after which the board will begin developing a new investment promotion blueprint and pipeline of priority projects for the state.