By Nworisa Michael
The Kanem–Borno Cultural Summit and Festival has concluded in Maiduguri, Borno State, with participants reaffirming culture as a powerful and strategic instrument for peacebuilding, unity, and regional cooperation across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider African sub-region.
Held under the theme “Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability,” the Summit coincided with the second edition of the Kanem–Borno Cultural Festival, once again positioning Maiduguri as a historic centre of civilisation, dialogue, and shared heritage rooted in the ancient Kanem–Borno empire.
The high-level gathering attracted traditional rulers, cultural custodians, scholars, diplomats, policymakers, and development stakeholders from across Africa and the international community. Participants used the platform to reconnect peoples linked by centuries of shared ancestry, traditions, and values, reinforcing culture as a living bridge between history and modern governance.
Organisers disclosed that a total of 168 traditional rulers and title holders participated in the week-long Summit, making it one of the largest traditional assemblies held in the region in recent times. Notably, the event was conducted without any recorded security incident, a development widely praised as evidence of effective coordination among traditional institutions, community leaders, and security agencies. Observers described the peaceful outcome as a strong counter-narrative to prevailing security perceptions of the region and a clear demonstration of the stabilising power of inclusive cultural engagement.
Discussions at the Summit emphasised culture as a tool for diplomacy, reconciliation, and conflict prevention. Intellectual sessions, cultural exhibitions, traditional performances, and a colourful Grand Durbar showcased the role of heritage in addressing contemporary challenges such as conflict, displacement, and social fragmentation, while promoting cross-border integration and shared identity.
Participants commended the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, for his leadership and unwavering support for the initiative. The Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, was also acknowledged for his solidarity and commitment to regional unity. Traditional leaders, including the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, were praised for their roles in reinforcing historic bonds among traditional institutions across the region.
International participation further elevated the stature of the Summit, with delegations from Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Ghana, Benin, Gabon, Guinea, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the transnational relevance of the Kanem–Borno heritage.
At a press conference held on January 6, 2026, the Chairman of the Summit, Dr. Zanna Hassan Buguma, alongside the Vice Chairman, Hon. Alhaji Goni Dunoma, outlined key resolutions reached by participants. These included a renewed commitment to preserving and promoting Kanem–Borno arts, languages, and customs, strengthening unity among traditional institutions across national borders, and expanding cultural diplomacy as a framework for regional cooperation and peacebuilding.
Participants also called for the institutionalisation of the Kanem–Borno Cultural Summit as a recurring international platform, the establishment of a standing Kanem–Borno Cultural Committee, and the creation of a transnational cultural network to serve as ambassadors of shared heritage.
Additional recommendations included deeper youth and diaspora engagement, comprehensive documentation and digital archiving of cultural assets, closer collaboration with UNESCO and other global cultural institutions, and formal recognition of the Borno Durbar as a World Cultural Heritage event.
As the curtains fell on the Summit, organisers and participants reaffirmed a collective commitment to advancing peace, unity, and regional stability through culture. The Maiduguri gathering was widely described as a landmark intervention that not only celebrates a rich historical legacy but also strategically deploys heritage as a force for healing, cooperation, and a more harmonious future across borders.