Northern Governors Launch Security Trust Fund, Demand Swift Action Against Insecurity

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has taken a major step in its fight against insecurity with the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening security coordination and mobilising resources across the 19 northern states.

Speaking during the inauguration on Wednesday, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the move underscored the collective determination of northern governors to confront the region’s growing security challenges.

He identified banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, drug abuse and other criminal activities as serious threats that continue to undermine peace, economic growth and social development across Northern Nigeria.

According to Yahaya, the trust fund is designed to support intelligence gathering, improve collaboration among security stakeholders and complement the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies in tackling insecurity.

“The inauguration of this board represents a significant milestone in our quest for a coordinated, transparent and sustainable response to the security challenges facing the region,” he said.

The governor explained that members of the board were carefully nominated by the 19 northern states based on their integrity, patriotism and wealth of experience, expressing confidence in their ability to drive the initiative successfully.

He urged the trustees to uphold accountability and transparency while ensuring that resources are managed effectively to deliver tangible improvements in security coordination and emergency response mechanisms.

Yahaya also warned against allowing the fund to become another bureaucratic structure with little impact, stressing that it must remain focused on practical solutions and measurable results.

As part of efforts to sustain the initiative, he recalled an earlier resolution by northern governors requiring each state and its local governments to contribute N1 billion monthly for a period of 12 months to finance the fund. He praised states that had already begun meeting their obligations and called on others to fulfil their commitments without delay.

The governor lamented the devastating impact of insecurity on communities across the region, noting that it has disrupted farming activities, discouraged investments and forced thousands of people from their homes.

He further reaffirmed the forum’s support for the security reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including ongoing efforts to establish state policing as part of broader measures to strengthen internal security.

Yahaya maintained that the trust fund would work in synergy with existing national security structures through stronger partnerships, intelligence sharing and community engagement. He also advocated increased investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment and skills acquisition programmes as long-term solutions to the root causes of insecurity.

Earlier, Governor Uba Sani welcomed fellow governors and traditional rulers, describing the gathering as crucial to advancing peace, stability and development in Northern Nigeria.

He commended Yahaya’s leadership of the forum, noting that it had remained committed to addressing issues affecting millions of people across the region.

Sani also praised the Tinubu administration for its interventions in key sectors, including transportation, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure and national security.

The Kaduna governor described the proposed creation of state police as a critical and timely reform capable of strengthening local security structures and improving responses to emerging threats such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

He further applauded President Tinubu and the National Assembly for advancing the constitutional process required to establish state police across the country.

The event also witnessed the inauguration of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, and retired Martin Luther Agwai as Co-Chairmen of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, alongside other board members representing the 19 northern states.

The development signals a renewed regional effort to confront insecurity through collective action, improved funding and stronger collaboration among governments, communities and security agencies.