About the Summit
The summit under the absolute guidance of His Excellency Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, FNSE, CON, His Eminence the Shehu of Borno Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi CFR, sought to mobilize and bring together the Kanem Borno tribes from home and across the globe including sister countries for socialization, knowledge sharing, networking, and peace building.
It is designed to contribute to the ambitious, yet scalable visionary development aspiration of Borno State (the Borno State Development Plan and 10-year Strategic Transformation Plan, the 10-Pact Agenda of Governor Zulum, the NEDC Northeast Development Master Plan, and the Lake Chad Basin Commission’s Regional Stabilisation Plan) in the next 25 years and beyond, whose ideas were conceived by the Government of Borno State, Federal Government of Nigeria, and Lake Chad Basin Regional Governments.
A robust approach has been put in place with expertise drawn from across various fields of endeavour.
Our Story →Event Highlights
- International Conference with scholars from Cameroon, Chad, Niger & Nigeria
- Grand Prayers for Regional Peace at Shehu's Palace Central Mosque
- Cultural Festival with dances, wrestling & Quranic arts exhibition
- Gala Night & Awards Ceremony at Government House, Maiduguri
- International participation from USA, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Libya & neighboring countries
Summit Program
KANEM BORNO CULTURAL SUMMIT
THEME: Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability
DATE: December 31, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Wednesday, 31 December 2025
Arrival Day
Arrival of invited guests and participants from various countries including America, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Libya, Niger, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, etc.
Thursday, 1 January 2026
Morning Session @ UNIMAID
Conference with 5 lead papers presented from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, concurrently with cultural exhibitions and dances
3:30 PM @ Shehu's Palace
Display of cultural dances and continuation of cultural exhibition
Friday, 2 January 2026
Morning @ Central Mosque, Shehu's Palace
Grand prayers with recitation of the Holy Qur'an, supplications, Sadaga of sacrificial animal, and special prayer for regional peace
3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Cultural dances, local wrestling and exhibitions including the evolution of Quranic recitation, memorization and art of writing in Kanem Borno Region
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ Government House, Maiduguri
Special Gala Night and award presentation to special Guests and Dignitaries
Saturday, 3 January 2026
Departure Day
Departure of all guests and participants
Featured Kanem-Borno Heritage
Kanem Borno Cultural Attire
Borno State - Kanem Borno Cultural Attire
A proud display of Kanem–Borno cultural identity, showcasing traditional Kanuri attire worn with dignity and elegance. The men appear in embroidered gowns and the iconic red caps, symbols of heritage and status, while the women shine in vibrant wraps and beautifully styled headscarves. This scene reflects the enduring beauty, pride, and unity of Kanuri traditions passed down through generations.
Durbar Festival
Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria - Kanem Cultural Summit 2024
is annual forum to create a conducive environment for the Kanem communities to reconnect, collaborate, and progress in terms promotion of culture, languages, and business tourism. It is expected to have a positive impact on the Kanem people, enhancing their social, cultural, and economic development.
Kanem Musical Traditions
Lake Chad Region - Musical Heritage
This image highlights a traditional performance in the Kanem–Borno region, where musicians play a central role in cultural ceremonies. It reflects the community’s enduring respect for heritage, craftsmanship, and social cohesion.
Register for the Summit
Contact the Summit Organizers
Get Involved
The Kanem Borno Cultural Summit welcomes scholars, cultural practitioners, and community members to participate in preserving and promoting this rich heritage.
Headquarters
BECCF Summit Secretariate
Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
info@kanembornosummit.org
Phone
+2347037771215