Zulum Unveils 500 Electric Tricycles To Reduce Unemployment, Cleaner Transport In Borno

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has launched the distribution of 500 electric tricycles valued at N1 billion to promote cleaner transportation and create employment for young people in the state.

The initiative forms part of a broader programme targeting 1,000 tricycle operators across Maiduguri metropolis and Jere Local Council.

The environment- friendly tricycles were earlier inaugurated on December 20, 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of efforts to modernise transport and ease economic hardship.

At the launch held over the weekend at the Government House in Maiduguri, Zulum said the initiative was designed to support less-privileged tricycle operators and reduce transportation costs for residents.

“The e-tricycles initiative was designed to empower less-privileged Keke Napep riders and reduce transportation costs for residents across the Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Council,” he said.

“I am privileged to launch this empowerment programme for about 1,000 beneficiaries among tricycle riders in Maiduguri and Jere today.”

He said the tricycles, procured months earlier, were now being formally distributed to beneficiaries.

“These eco-friendly tricycles represent a step towards modernising transportation while promoting environmental sustainability,” he added.

The governor said a designated committee would oversee the payment structure, while the state government would subsidise 30 per cent of the cost to make the tricycles affordable.

He added that beneficiaries are expected to comply with established guidelines to ensure accountability and sustainability.

Zulum also disclosed that 16,783 registered tricycle operators drawn from 25 associations in Maiduguri and Jere would each receive N50,000 to cushion economic hardship.

“We have approved a financial intervention amounting to N1 billion to support transportation workers. A total of 16,783 registered riders will each receive N50,000,” he said.

He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to make productive use of the opportunity.

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

He added that beneficiaries were selected by their associations, without external influence.