TD Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has received the 2026 Quintessence Award from the African Writers Endowment (AWE) at its annual conference in Newark, New Jersey, United States.
The award ceremony, held on Friday, September 25, 2026, brought together prominent African leaders, academics, writers, traditional rulers and members of the African diaspora.
Zulum was honoured for what the AWE described as his “distinguished accomplishments in public administration” and “outstanding contributions to the history and heritage of African peoples.”
The African Writers Endowment, founded and led by Africa-focused author and publisher Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, has organised its annual conference in New Jersey since 1998.
New Jersey Legislature honours Zulum
In addition to the Quintessence Award, Zulum received a certified original Resolution from the New Jersey Legislature.
The resolution was signed by the President of the New Jersey Senate, Hon. Nicholas Scutari.
It recognised aspects of Zulum’s upbringing, academic credentials, scholarship, professorship and record as Governor of Borno State.
Gambari chairs ceremony
The conference was chaired by Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General.
Gambari expressed his pleasure at attending the event in honour of Zulum and described the Borno governor as a leader of “impeccable character and integrity.”
He praised Zulum’s efforts in confronting violence by non-state actors in Borno State and his efforts to position the state as a gateway to the Sahel and Lake Chad regions.
AbdulRazaq praises Zulum
Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, delivered a goodwill message at the conference.
AbdulRazaq described Zulum as the “Chief Whip” who helps stabilise the forum of Nigeria’s 36 governors.
He also disclosed that he had drawn from Zulum’s education initiatives for implementation in Kwara State.
“If you take a poll among the 36 governors about who among them would become president of Nigeria in the future, Governor Zulum would win that poll,” AbdulRazaq said.
Zulum dedicates award to people of Borno
Zulum attended the ceremony with his wife, Professor Falmata Babagana Zulum, the First Lady of Borno State.
The governor expressed appreciation for the recognition but said the honour should be seen as a recognition of the people of Borno State and others who have contributed to the state’s development.
“This recognition is not for me alone, but for the resilient people of Borno, every Nigerian and African who has worked tirelessly to turn ideas into action, and to bring dignity to the lives of our people,” Zulum said.
He added: “Leadership is not about grand titles, but about building ladders of opportunity so everyone can climb.”
Emir Sanusi II makes surprise appearance
The surprise appearance of the Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, was another major highlight of the event.
His presence generated excitement among participants.
Dr. Ugorji described Sanusi as the “Khalifa of Kano” and one of the most consequential royal fathers in the world.
Sanusi praised Zulum and cited the political circumstances surrounding the most recent governorship election in Borno State as evidence of the governor’s broad appeal.
“In the last election for governor in Borno State, the opposition parties got together and decided they would not field candidates against Zulum. That has never happened before,” Sanusi said.
Governor seeks diaspora investment in Borno
Zulum also used the occasion to promote investment opportunities in Borno State, urging Nigerians and Africans in the diaspora to contribute their capital, skills and ideas to development efforts in Nigeria.
“I call on you to invest back home — not just your capital, but your skills and ideas,” he said.
“Every factory you build, every school you help fund, is an investment in Africa’s greatest resource: our people.”
The governor commended Dr. Ugorji and the African Writers Endowment for sustaining the conference since 1998.
He said his administration looked forward to further collaboration with the organisation and members of the African diaspora.
“Become Borno’s advocates,” Zulum told participants.
The 2026 conference brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, academics, writers and members of the African diaspora for discussions and recognition centred on African leadership, heritage, intellectual engagement and development.
