Zulum Names Sa’id Kori Chief Investment Adviser, Hails Appointment as Economic Game-Changer for Borno

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has appointed Dr Sa’id Alkali Kori as his Chief Investment Adviser and Pioneer Chairman of the Governing Board of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency, a decision the government describes as a pivotal step in the state’s post-conflict economic transformation agenda. The appointment, announced on Thursday by Dauda Iliya, the Special […]

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has appointed Dr Sa’id Alkali Kori as his Chief Investment Adviser and Pioneer Chairman of the Governing Board of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency, a decision the government describes as a pivotal step in the state’s post-conflict economic transformation agenda.

The appointment, announced on Thursday by Dauda Iliya, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Governor, follows the recent enactment of the Borno State Investment Promotion Agency (Amendment No. 1) Law, 2026 by the State House of Assembly. The law establishes a governing board for the agency and creates the new position of Chief Investment Adviser to the Governor.

In the official announcement, Gusau described Dr Kori as a distinguished investment expert, development strategist, and infrastructure finance professional whose track record of structuring over $200 million in infrastructure financing across housing, healthcare, and road networks positions him ideally to drive Borno’s investment agenda.

The statement highlighted Dr Kori’s previous role at Family Homes Funds Limited where he delivered more than 15,000 affordable housing units through innovative public-private partnership models, as well as his current positions 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, noting that Dr Kori’s dual role as Chief Investment Adviser and Board Chairman would ensure seamless alignment between investment policy formulation and execution.

The Governor emphasised 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, describing the appointment as both an honour and a responsibility he accepts with humility and unwavering resolve.

He 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.

“I am profoundly honoured to be called upon to contribute to the realisation of this noble vision,” Dr Kori said in his statement. “This appointment is not merely a personal recognition; it is a testament to His Excellency’s commitment to bringing world-class expertise, professional rigor, and strategic thinking into the governance architecture of our dear state.”

Addressing his colleagues on the newly constituted governing board, Dr Kori extended warm felicitations and a hand of partnership, 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, speaking from his experience as someone who understands the language of investors because he has walked in their shoes.

He emphasised that capital flows where there is clarity, predictability, and a genuine partnership mindset, and outlined 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 recognising 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.

The new Chief Investment Adviser 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.