Leadership in Nigeria and the Buni Recipe for Yobe

Leadership in Nigeria and the Buni Recipe for Yobe

By Hussaini Ibrahim

In the complex landscape of Nigerian leadership, where promises often outpace performance, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has quietly introduced a governance model that prioritizes substance over spectacle. Known by those close to it as the “Buni Recipe,” this approach is steadily delivering results in a region once devastated by conflict.

Upon assuming office in 2019, Buni faced the daunting task of rebuilding a state struggling with the aftermath of Boko Haram insurgency. Instead of political rhetoric, he responded with structured action plans focused on education, healthcare, infrastructure, and human capital development.

In education, over 400 schools have been renovated or rebuilt, thousands of teachers retrained, and girl-child enrollment has seen notable improvement. Simultaneously, the administration’s healthcare interventions—especially the construction of more than 140 primary healthcare centers—have expanded access to quality care across rural areas, bolstered by the Yobe State Contributory Healthcare scheme.

Buni’s infrastructure drive has also reshaped major towns and connected communities. A multi-billion naira flyover project is currently underway in Damaturu—the first of its kind in the state—designed to ease traffic and modernize the capital. New roads are being constructed in Damagum and across all 17 local government areas, improving access to markets, farms, and schools. In addition, modern markets are springing up in key cities, helping to boost trade and economic activities. These projects are not only transforming the physical landscape but also creating jobs and stimulating local economies.

Furthermore, the administration continues to invest in youth empowerment through vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and direct employment initiatives—ensuring that young people are active participants in the state’s development journey.

Beyond state borders, Buni’s leadership skills were tested nationally when he successfully chaired the APC Caretaker Committee, uniting factions and steering the party through a turbulent period. His calm, consultative style stood out in a political climate often marked by division.

What makes the Buni approach notable is its quiet effectiveness. It doesn’t seek attention—it earns it. In a country seeking a new definition of leadership, the Yobe experience offers a valuable lesson: that integrity, planning, and humility can, indeed, deliver real progress.

As Nigeria continues its search for responsive and visionary leadership, the Buni Recipe may well become a model worth replicating.