Northern governors on Wednesday launched the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, endorsed the creation of State Police and reaffirmed their commitment to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to strengthen regional efforts against insecurity.

The far-reaching resolutions were reached at a joint meeting of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Council Chamber, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, where governors and monarchs declared that the worsening security situation in the region requires urgent, coordinated and decisive action.

In attendance at the meeting were; Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Nasir Idris of Kebbi State. Other states were represented by deputy governors.

The meeting also inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund with former Minister of Defence, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, and former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), as Co-Chairmen.

Other members of the board include former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya (rtd); retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa; AVM Kabiru Aliyu (rtd); Prof. Usman Tar; Sen. Napoleon Bali (rtd); Maj.-Gen. A.M. Dikko (rtd); AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd); AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (rtd); Maj.-Gen. Muhammad Sani (rtd); Muhammad Mujtaba Isa; Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar; Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha; DIG Sani Usman Mohammed (rtd); Maj.-Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd); former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Alhaji Falalu Bawale; Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab (rtd); Maj.-Gen. John Seyina Malu (rtd); and former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba.

Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the establishment of the Trust Fund followed resolutions reached at the Forum’s meetings of December 2, 2025, and March 30, 2026.

He recalled that the governors had unanimously agreed that the security crisis confronting Northern Nigeria required prompt, coordinated and practical measures to prevent further deterioration.

According to him, although the Federal Government bears the primary responsibility for national security, the 19 Northern states must complement federal efforts through intelligence sharing, community resilience and coordinated interventions.

He explained that the Trust Fund was conceived as a practical platform for mobilising resources, supporting security coordination, strengthening intelligence collaboration and complementing the operations of federal security agencies.

Governor Yahaya said the inauguration of the Board of Trustees marked the first concrete step towards translating the governors’ commitment into measurable action against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He stressed that the Fund must not become another bureaucratic institution but a focused, credible and result-driven mechanism capable of delivering tangible improvements in regional security.

“The success of this Fund will be measured by the extent to which it supports real improvements in security coordination, intelligence sharing, rapid response and the overall protection of lives and property,” he said.

The governors, In a communiqué issued after the meeting, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained commitment to tackling insecurity across the country and pledged continued support for federal security initiatives.

They also acknowledged the progress recorded towards the establishment of State Police and commended the President and the National Assembly for initiating the constitutional processes required for its creation.

The Forum maintained that with proper training, equipment and institutional support, State Police would play a pivotal role in addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges.

The governors expressed confidence in the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, urging members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, fairness, independence and accountability.

They equally commended member states for redeeming their commitments to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to the Trust Fund, describing the decision as a demonstration of collective leadership and shared responsibility.

The Forum called on all Northern states to honour their financial pledges consistently while urging traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to support the Board in delivering on its mandate.

The governors further resolved to intensify efforts at addressing the root causes of insecurity, identifying poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the growing number of out-of-school children as major drivers of violent crimes.

They agreed that while military and security operations remain necessary, they must be complemented with sustained investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, job creation, livelihoods and skills acquisition.

As the rainy season gathers momentum, the Forum urged governments and security agencies to provide adequate protection for farmers and rural communities threatened by insecurity and communal conflicts.

The governors also resolved to work closely with traditional institutions, local governments and community leaders to prevent conflicts, promote livestock transformation and strengthen peaceful coexistence among farming and pastoral communities.

Beyond security, the Forum agreed to deepen regional collaboration in education, healthcare and agriculture through a unified framework that would enable states to pool resources, share expertise and deliver measurable development outcomes.

In his welcome address, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said President Tinubu had demonstrated remarkable commitment to advancing the development priorities of Northern Nigeria through strategic interventions across critical sectors.

According to him, the Federal Government has invested significantly in transportation, agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, infrastructure and national security, laying the foundation for sustainable economic growth.

He said the North appreciates the President’s support and remains committed to partnering with the Federal Government in building a safer, more prosperous and united Nigeria.

Governor Uba Sani described the proposed establishment of State Police as one of the most significant developments in Nigeria’s democratic journey, insisting that it had become an urgent national necessity.

He argued that the country’s vast territory, the increasing sophistication of criminal elements and the inadequate number of police officers and military personnel make State Police indispensable in combating banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

The Kaduna governor commended President Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly for advancing the State Police Bill, expressing confidence that the harmonisation process would be concluded without delay.

He said history would remember the President, lawmakers, governors and other stakeholders for supporting what he described as a transformative security reform capable of confronting Nigeria’s persistent insecurity.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, pledged the full support of traditional rulers for the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund and all initiatives aimed at restoring peace across the region.

The Sultan described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees as a practical shift from endless discussions to concrete action, assuring that traditional institutions would provide community intelligence, local support and sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative while insisting that security remains the collective responsibility of governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and every citizen. (The Nation)

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