From Moshood Karim
In a renewed effort to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing the northern region of Nigeria, governors of the 19 Northern States convened a high-level joint meeting with the Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers’ Councils on Saturday, 10th May 2025.
The meeting, held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, underlined a growing resolve to strengthen security, promote regional cooperation, and accelerate infrastructural development.
The gathering, which brought together all nineteen governors and traditional leaders of the northern region, was convened under the auspices of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF). It was chaired by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who also serves as the Forum’s Chairman.
The deliberations, which spanned several hours, were described as “exhaustive” and focused primarily on pressing regional interests, with security and development topping the agenda. The participants acknowledged the importance of nonpartisan collaboration, sustained dialogue, and mutual accountability in addressing the challenges confronting the region and the country at large.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Forum expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for what it described as his “sustained commitment” to resolving security challenges and addressing the infrastructural deficits plaguing Northern Nigeria.
Among the key resolutions reached, the Forum committed to working closely with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to develop new strategies to enhance support for federal security agencies operating within the region. Emphasising the value of community-based solutions, the governors also resolved to strengthen unique local initiatives designed to combat security threats, including banditry, terrorism, and communal violence.
In a significant step towards regional integration and border control, the Forum resolved to establish inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance and security operations across joint borders. This move is expected to curb cross-border criminality and improve intelligence-sharing between states.
The Forum also reiterated its unequivocal support for the establishment of State Police, a long-debated issue in Nigeria’s federal structure. The governors called on the National Assembly to fast-track the legislative process needed to enact a legal framework that would enable the creation and operationalisation of state policing outfits.
“The security challenges we face are not only persistent but evolving,” said Governor Inuwa Yahaya in his closing remarks. “It is imperative that we work collaboratively—across state lines and traditional institutions—to ensure the safety and prosperity of our people.”
The communiqué, signed by Governor Yahaya on behalf of the Forum, concluded with an announcement that the next meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum would hold on 30th August 2025.
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