Northern governors, on Wednesday, launched the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund and reaffirmed their commitment to a ₦1 billion monthly contribution plan aimed at strengthening regional efforts against insecurity.
The governors also endorsed the creation of State Police, describing it as a necessary reform to address banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the region.
The 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.
The meeting brought together governors, deputy governors and traditional rulers, who declared that the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria requires urgent, coordinated and decisive action.
Governors present at the meeting included Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Umar Namadi of Jigawa State and Nasir Idris of Kebbi State. Other northern 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), named 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; Senator 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 earlier meetings of December 2, 2025, and March 30, 2026.
He said the governors had unanimously agreed that the security crisis confronting Northern Nigeria required prompt, coordinated and practical measures to prevent further deterioration.
Yahaya noted that although the Federal Government bears primary responsibility for national security, the 19 Northern states must complement federal efforts through intelligence sharing, community resilience, coordinated interventions and sustained funding.
According to him, the Trust Fund was designed as a practical platform to mobilise resources, support security coordination, strengthen intelligence collaboration and complement the operations of federal security agencies.
He said the inauguration of the Board of Trustees marked the first concrete step toward translating the governors’ commitment into measurable action against insecurity.
Yahaya warned 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.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the governors expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to tackling insecurity across the country and pledged continued support for federal security initiatives.
They also acknowledged the progress recorded toward 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 and urged members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence, fairness, independence and accountability.
They commended member states for redeeming their commitments to contribute to the Trust Fund and called on all Northern states to honour their financial pledges consistently.
The Forum also urged traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to support the Board in delivering on its mandate.
Beyond immediate security operations, the governors resolved to intensify efforts to address 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 by sustained investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, job creation, livelihoods and skills acquisition.
As the rainy season progresses, 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.
The Forum further 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 commitment to advancing the development priorities of Northern Nigeria through strategic interventions across transportation, agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, infrastructure and national security.
Sani said the North appreciates the President’s support and remains committed to partnering with the Federal Government to build a safer, more prosperous and united Nigeria.
He 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.
According to him, Nigeria’s vast territory, the increasing sophistication of criminal groups and the inadequate number of police officers and military personnel make State Police indispensable in combating insecurity.
Sani commended President Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership for advancing the State Police Bill, expressing confidence that the harmonisation process would be concluded without delay.
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 Security Trust Fund and other initiatives aimed at restoring peace in the region.
The Sultan described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees as a practical shift from endless discussions to concrete action.
He assured that traditional institutions would provide community intelligence, local support and sustained collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.
The Sultan added that security remains the collective responsibility of governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and citizens.
The launch of the Fund comes amid renewed concerns over banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, farmer-herder clashes and attacks on rural communities across parts of Northern Nigeria.
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