By taibat Ummi Yakubu

Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum, Dikko Radda, is leading a major regional push for international support as he heads to New York to unveil a comprehensive development and security blueprint aimed at transforming Nigeria’s North-West region.

The initiative, which will be presented on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), is expected to place the region’s challenges and opportunities before global investors, development agencies, financial institutions and international partners.

Governor Radda’s participation comes alongside that of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been engaging government officials, investors and business leaders across several states in the United States as part of efforts to attract partnerships and investments to Lagos.

For the North-West, however, the mission carries a broader regional significance.

Radda is expected to lead governors from the seven states in the zone in presenting the North-West Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030, a strategic roadmap designed to tackle insecurity, strengthen resilience and drive economic growth across the region.

The framework will be unveiled during a special event titled “From Fragility to Opportunity: Locally Led Pathways to Peace, Resilience and Investment in Fragile Contexts.”

The gathering is expected to attract a wide range of stakeholders, including development partners, international investors, financial institutions, donor agencies and private-sector leaders interested in supporting sustainable development initiatives in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Radda, Ibrahim Mohammed, the presentation represents a significant milestone in the efforts of North-West governors to move beyond consultations and establish a coordinated regional development agenda.

The statement explained that the framework emerged from extensive discussions among the governors aimed at finding collective solutions to the region’s shared challenges, particularly insecurity, poverty, unemployment and socio-economic vulnerability.

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It noted that the initiative reflects a growing commitment among the seven states to pursue a unified strategy capable of delivering lasting peace, stability and prosperity.

The statement further revealed that the process received substantial support from the United Nations system, especially the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), alongside sustained engagement from the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina J. Mohammed.

Officials believe the framework will provide a practical foundation for deeper cooperation among the states while creating opportunities for strategic partnerships with international organisations and development institutions.

Beyond the presentation itself, the New York engagement is expected to serve as a platform for attracting funding, technical support and private-sector investments needed to implement the ambitious regional agenda.

The governors are also expected to use the opportunity to showcase the economic potential of the North-West and seek partnerships that can help address security concerns, boost infrastructure development, strengthen local economies and improve living conditions across the region.

According to the statement, the initiative is anchored on a shared vision captured in the regional slogan: “Seven States, One Ambition.”

With insecurity and underdevelopment remaining major concerns in parts of the North-West, the governors hope the framework will not only draw international attention to the region’s challenges but also unlock the partnerships and investments needed to turn those challenges into opportunities for long-term growth and stability.