In a major boost to healthcare workers serving in rural communities, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has approved substantial increases to rural allowances for medical professionals posted outside urban centres.
Effective January 1, 2026, the revised structure will grant:
Medical doctors practicing in designated rural areas a 100 percent rural allowance, equal to their basic salaries; and
Nurses and midwives serving in similar postings a 40 percent rural allowance increase.
The governor announced the policy during a media briefing and inspection tour of public facilities, including general hospitals and ongoing housing projects in Gubio and Magumeri Local Government Areas. Zulum framed the hike as a strategic intervention to tackle persistent shortages of health personnel in underserved communities.
“In many rural facilities, manpower gaps limit service delivery because health professionals prefer better‑paying roles in urban centres or with international organisations,” Zulum explained, noting that the new allowances aim to make rural postings more attractive and improve retention.
The policy has a dual focus: improving healthcare access for remote populations while also incentivising doctors, nurses and midwives to accept and remain in rural assignments — a challenge long identified by health sector analysts and state officials alike.
Governor Zulum’s announcement coincided with broader state efforts to revitalise public services and support socio‑economic development in post‑conflict areas, aligning with the 2026 budget’s emphasis on infrastructure and human capital investment.
