Ethnic communities and people who constitute the ancient Kanem-Borno Empire in Nigeria and the Diaspora are set to converge on Maiduguri, January 1 and 2, 2026, in continuation of their search for solutions to the challenges of the Lake Chad region.
The delegates, expected to be about one thousand, will converge under the auspices of the Biennial Kanem-Borno 2nd Annual General Conference/Cultural Summit.
The maiden edition of the summit was held in January 2024 in Maiduguri.
The 2026 summit, with the theme: Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability, will attract participants from the four Lake Chad Basin countries of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as other countries from across the world.
It will serve as a global homecoming, bringing together sons and daughters of Kanem-Borno from across Nigeria and around the world, including members of The Diaspora, scholars, professionals, traditional rulers, cultural custodians, youth and women.
Organisers of the summit, chaired by the Zanna Boguma of Borno, Zanna Hassan Boguma, said; “it will deliberate on efforts to reconnect the people of the region region to their shared heritage and mobilise collective wisdom, resources and networks for its peace and stability.”
Boguma who is the Summit Chairman, stated this at a World Press Conference held in Maiduguri the Borno state Capital.
“The Building on the success of the maiden edition, the 2nd Biennial Kanem-Borno Summit seeks to deepen conversations around identity, resilience, and responsibility,” Boguma said.
He said the summit would place culture as a unifying force and a strategic tool for Peace building, reconciliation, and regional cooperation and integration, especially at this time when the Lake Chad Basin continues to face security, humanitarian, and socioeconomic challenges.
“The 2nd edition of the Biennial Kanem-Borno Summit is inclusive, non-partisan and forward-looking. It seeks to complement ongoing security and development efforts by providing cultural, intellectual, and people-driven platform that strengthens social cohesion and fosters long-term peace and stability in the region.” he said.