Gov. Buni Bags African Leadership Award for Good Governance in London
By Lanre Oloyede
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has received international recognition for what organisers described as his commitment to good governance and impactful leadership, earning an Award of Excellence at the 16th African Business Leadership Awards (ABLA) held at the House of Lords in London.
The award, presented by the Africa Leadership Organisation (ALO) through the African Leadership Magazine, was conferred on Governor Buni by former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who chairs the organisation’s Global Advisory Board. He was joined by Lord Dolar Popat during the presentation ceremony.
According to the organisers, the Yobe governor was honoured for policies that have strengthened service delivery in healthcare, education, agriculture and other critical sectors with direct impact on the lives of citizens.
Other Nigerians recognised at the event included Gov. Hope Uzodinma, Presidential Adviser Kabiru Masari and Mojisola Adeyeye.
Also honoured were Henry Falla Saamoi and George Donkor, alongside other political and economic leaders from across Africa.
Speaking at a pre-award forum on African Banking, Finance and Economic Leadership at the Hilton London Metropole, Governor Buni dedicated the award to the people of Yobe State, describing it as “a springboard that spurs us to do more to promote good governance and to serve the people better.”
Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty: Building Resilience, Inclusion and Shared Prosperity in Africa – The Yobe State Experience,” the governor reflected on the devastating impact of the Boko Haram insurgency on Yobe State, noting that years of insecurity had claimed lives, displaced thousands and destroyed critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, water facilities and power installations.
Buni argued that many conflicts across Africa stem from poor leadership, corruption, injustice and greed, stressing that effective leadership must be rooted in patriotism, transparency, teamwork and justice.
He said Yobe’s response to insecurity combined military operations with community mobilisation and citizen participation, a strategy he said helped restore stability and encouraged displaced residents to return to their communities.
“Our experience in Yobe State started with a vigorous sensitisation programme for our citizens to appreciate that the government’s war against insurgency was a collective responsibility,” he said.
The governor also highlighted reforms implemented in healthcare, education, agriculture and public finance management, saying they had produced measurable results.
He noted that Yobe emerged as Nigeria’s best-performing state in primary healthcare delivery, receiving a $1.2 million prize, while also winning the national award for Public Finance Management, Fiscal Transparency and Accountability with a ₦5 billion grant under the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.
Buni attributed the achievements to prudent management of public resources and acknowledged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increased federal allocations to states, which he said had enabled Yobe to execute more developmental projects.
The governor attended the event alongside Inuwa Yahaya and Rabe Muttaka Darma.
