In a concerted effort to tackle escalating security concerns and deepen regional collaboration, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) held a joint meeting with the Chairmen of the Northern States Traditional Rulers’ Council on Saturday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting brought together the governors of all 19 northern states and the traditional heads of their respective councils, in what officials described as a unified front to address the persistent developmental and security challenges facing the region.
In a communiqué issued at the close of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a nonpartisan, cooperative approach to governance, emphasizing the need for shared responsibility and peer learning among states.
The communique was signed by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chaired the Northern States Governors’ Forum.
According to the communique, the Forum opened its resolutions by commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what it termed his “sustained commitment” to improving security and addressing infrastructural deficits across Northern Nigeria. The governors noted that recent federal initiatives, including increased military deployments and ongoing highway rehabilitation projects, had shown promise in curbing insecurity and spurring economic activity.
Against a backdrop of rising banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and cross-border crimes, the Forum announced several far-reaching resolutions aimed at improving regional security coordination. Chief among these was a strong endorsement of state policing.
“The Forum reiterated its support for the creation of State Police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off,” the communiqué stated.
The governors also agreed to strengthen existing community-based security initiatives and establish inter-state surveillance platforms to monitor activities along shared borders—a move analysts say is a response to the increasingly mobile nature of criminal networks operating across state lines.
In a show of solidarity with federal efforts, the Forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to explore modalities for increasing logistical and financial support to national security agencies operating within the region.
Sources within the meeting revealed that discussions also touched on intelligence sharing, modernization of equipment for local vigilante groups, and the integration of traditional rulers into early warning systems—a recognition of their grassroots reach and influence.
Beyond security, the Forum’s communique underscored the importance of collaborative leadership in addressing education, youth unemployment, and infrastructure deficits—issues it said were contributing factors to instability.
Observers have welcomed the meeting as a sign of renewed political will among Northern leaders. However, critics cautioned that without timely implementation and measurable outcomes, such resolutions risk falling short of meaningful impact.
The Forum announced that its next meeting will take place on August 30, 2025, where progress on Saturday’s resolutions is expected to be reviewed.
