Borno

Borno State is the largest state in Nigeria by area, located in the far north-east corner of the country, bordering Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Its capital, Maiduguri, is the largest city in the north-east and a historic centre of the Kanuri Kingdom of Kanem-Bornu, one of Africa's longest-lasting empires. The state is named after the former Bornu Empire, which ruled the region for over a thousand years.

The landscape is predominantly semi-arid savannah, with the Lake Chad basin in the north-east providing fertile fishing and farming grounds. The Chad Basin National Park protects a unique wetland ecosystem around Lake Chad's Nigerian shores, home to migratory birds, hyenas, and antelopes. Borno is also rich in history: the Shehu of Borno's Palace in Maiduguri and the ancient Kanemi architecture are major cultural landmarks.

Since 2009, Borno has been the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has caused widespread destruction and displacement. The state is slowly recovering, and Maiduguri remains functional as the regional hub, but travellers should exercise extreme caution and consult current security advice. The dry season (November–April) is the only viable travel period.

The dry season (November–April) is the only practical time. The rainy season (June–September) brings heavy downpours and flooding. The Borno Durbar (Eid celebrations) in Maiduguri is the state's major cultural event.

Maiduguri International Airport (MIU) connects Borno to Abuja, Lagos, and Yola. Major roads link Maiduguri to Biu, Damboa, and the Cameroon border. However, road travel outside Maiduguri is severely restricted by security conditions. The city of Maiduguri is the base for any visit, and internal travel should only be undertaken with official security guidance.

• Maiduguri — the state capital and historic seat of the Kanuri-Bornu Empire, with the Shehu's Palace and the Mai Idris Aloma Museum
• Biu — a town in the south, the seat of the Biu Emirate and the headquarters of the Bura people
• Bama — a town on the Cameroon border, the second-largest before the insurgency
• Damboa — a town in the south-west, an agricultural market centre
• Dikwa — a historic Kanuri town, the seat of the Shehu of Dikwa Emirate
• Gwoza — a town in the Mandara Mountains on the Cameroon border, with scenic highlands
• Monguno — a town in the north, near the shores of Lake Chad
• Konduga — a town south-east of Maiduguri on the road to Bama
• Shani — a town in the southern part of the state
• Askira — a town in the south, the headquarters of Askira-Uba LGA
• Gubio — a town north of Maiduguri, an agricultural centre
• Chad Basin National Park — Nigeria's only national park in the Lake Chad basin, with wetland wildlife and birdlife

Borno's cuisine is dominated by Kanuri and Hausa traditions. The staple is Tuwo (millet or sorghum porridge) served with Miyan Kuka (baobab leaf soup) or Miyan Taushe (pumpkin soup). Kilishi (spiced dried meat) is a local specialty. Fish from Lake Chad is highly prized — dried and smoked tilapia and Nile perch are common.

The Borno Durbar is the state's grandest festival, held during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, with the Shehu of Borno leading a cavalry procession in colourful regalia. The Kanuri people have a rich tradition of music and dance, including the Kalangu drumming tradition. The Museum of Maiduguri preserves artefacts of the Kanem-Bornu Empire.

• Visit the Shehu of Borno's Palace — the seat of one of Nigeria's most powerful traditional rulers, with historic architecture
• Explore the Chad Basin National Park — wetland wildlife, bird migraqtion, and the unique Lake Chad ecosystem
• See the Mai Idris Aloma Museum — artefacts of the Kanem-Bornu Empire in Maiduguri
• Attend the Borno Durbar — the spectacular horse riding festival during Eid celebrations