24/03/2025
The first Democratically elected Governor of Borno State.
Alhaji Mohammed Goni was a prominent Nigerian politician who served as the Governor of Borno State from 1979 to 1983. Born in 1942 in Kareto, Mobbar Local Government Area, Borno State, Goni had a distinguished educational background, attending institutions like Maiduguri Middle School, Borno Provincial Secondary School, and the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a BA in Administration with a specialization in International Affairs.
Goni's career in public service began in 1967 when he joined the government of the former Northern Region of Nigeria. He held various administrative positions in different parts of the country, including Kaduna, Bauchi, and Maiduguri. In 1979, he resigned from the Nigerian National Supply Company and entered politics, becoming the first civilian Governor of Borno State on the platform of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP).
During his tenure as governor, Goni implemented various development projects, including the establishment of the Borno Radio Television (BRTV), the Borno eye/dental hospital, and several secondary schools and general hospitals across the state. He also played a significant role in the establishment of the Maiduguri flour mills.
Goni was a respected elder statesman who enjoyed widespread support, particularly in the northeastern and northern parts of Nigeria. He was known for his transparency and governance, earning him the nickname "BABA OYOYO." Goni passed away on April 29, 2020, at the age of 78.
