For years, the Boko Haram insurgency has shaped how many people outside Nigeria’s North East perceive Borno and the wider Lake Chad region. But speakers and participants at the 2026 TEDxMaiduguri believe changing that perception begins with creating platforms where local voices can share stories of resilience, innovation and hope.

Held on July 25 under the theme “Beyond the Horizon,” the event, supported by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), brought together more than 100 participants at Prime Lodge in Maiduguri. Through personal stories and practical ideas, speakers explored how communities recovering from years of conflict can promote peace and sustainable development.

Speaking to Ndarason, Mohammed Goni Ali, Acting Executive Director of CoDev Hub and one of the organizers, said TEDxMaiduguri was conceived to highlight the resilience and potential of the people of Borno despite years of insurgency.

He explained that although the government, security agencies and humanitarian organizations have contributed to the state’s recovery, women, men and young people also have an important role to play in restoring lasting peace.

Ali noted that many young people in Borno possess innovative ideas but often lack platforms to showcase them. According to him, TEDxMaiduguri provides such a platform, giving young innovators the opportunity to share their ideas while projecting a more positive image of the state.

“When many people outside Borno hear about the state, the first thing that comes to their minds is Boko Haram. But Borno is home to intelligent, educated and innovative people whose stories also deserve to be told,” he said.

He encouraged participants to put into practice the lessons shared during the event and urged those who could not attend to follow the sessions virtually and use the knowledge gained to bring positive change to their communities.

Alongside the talks, the three spoken word performances captivated the audience, reinforcing the event’s themes of resilience, hope and transformation.

The event featured 11 speakers whose presentations covered a wide range of issues, including entrepreneurship, leadership, technology, education, community development and personal growth. While their backgrounds differed, many of their stories reflected the realities communities across the Lake Chad region continue to face after years of conflict—from rebuilding education systems and protecting children’s rights to supporting women, combating misinformation and promoting healing.

Among the presentations that resonated most with the audience were those delivered by child rights advocate Safiya Alkali Aji Kolo and civic leader Aishatu Kabu Damboa, both of whom received prolonged applause.

Safiya Alkali Aji Kolo reflected on her journey championing children’s rights and highlighted the challenges many children in Borno face in accessing safety and education. She called for stronger systems that protect children and allow them to thrive, noting that investing in children today is essential to building a better future.

Her presentation drew one of the loudest rounds of applause at the event. Even after concluding her talk, she was invited back onto the stage by the organizers to receive further recognition from the audience.

Aishatu Kabu Damboa, a survivor of the Boko Haram insurgency and Founder of the Zenith of the Girl Child and Women Initiative (ZEGCAWIS), shared her journey from surviving conflict to becoming a civic leader. She said surviving violence should not define a person’s future and advocated for greater support for women-led local organizations working to address the challenges faced by women and girls affected by conflict. Her presentation also received an overwhelming response from participants.

Barrister Zannah Mustapha, founder of the Future Prowess Islamic Foundation, emphasized the importance of providing children affected by the Boko Haram insurgency with access to quality education. He said expanding inclusive education would help reduce the number of out-of-school children and create opportunities for lasting peace.

Mohammed Usman, General Manager of Al-Ansar Radio Maiduguri, highlighted the growing threat of misinformation, warning that fake news has become a major challenge, particularly during security-related incidents. He urged the public to verify information before sharing it to prevent panic and the spread of false narratives.

One of the speakers, Zainab Salihijo Ahmad, a philanthropist and Creative Director of Pink Fleur, described speaking at TEDxMaiduguri as a dream come true.

Speaking with Ndarason, Ahmad said her talk focused on community healing and the importance of changing the stories people tell themselves as part of the healing process.

She said delivering her TEDx talk in Maiduguri was particularly meaningful because the city marked the beginning of her journey.

“When there is hope, there is always a new beginning,” she said.

For many participants, TEDxMaiduguri was more than a platform for ideas. It reflected a region increasingly creating space for local voices, home-grown solutions and conversations that inspire hope despite years of insecurity.

Hassana Danyerwa, one of the participants, said she enjoyed listening to the speakers share their personal stories and experiences.

She said the fact that Maiduguri can now host an event like TEDxMaiduguri, attracting a large audience and leaving participants with meaningful ideas to reflect on, is remarkable.

Another participant, Kalthum Muhammad Shettima, said she had watched TEDx talks online for years and never imagined she would experience TEDxMaiduguri in Maiduguri.

She told Ndarason that attending the event helped her better understand herself and strengthened her belief that she could achieve her goals without doubting her abilities.

According to her, the personal stories shared by the speakers showed that challenges are part of life and should never stop anyone from pursuing their ambitions.

“The stories gave me the confidence to believe that one day I can also stand on the TEDxMaiduguri stage as a speaker,” she said, describing the event as “free therapy” that renewed her hope and self-confidence.

Ali said TEDxMaiduguri is only the beginning of a broader initiative that will continue in Damaturu, Yobe State, in August and Jimeta, Adamawa State, in September.

He explained that the three BAY states Borno, Adamawa and Yobe have long been associated with the Boko Haram insurgency. Yet they are also home to innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, peacebuilders and young leaders whose stories often go untold.

Taking TEDx to all three states, the organizers hope to raise those voices and contribute to a new narrative for communities across the Lake Chad region—one defined not only by conflict, but also by resilience, innovation, creativity and hope.

Rukaiya Ahmed Alibe