Governors of Northeast Nigeria have raised concerns over insecurity, looming floods, and rising food costs as pressing challenges confronting the region.
Declaring open the 12th meeting of their Forum in Taraba State, northeast Nigeria, on Friday, the Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, described the gathering as a platform for “deep reflection, consultation and collective action” to address the peculiar challenges of the subregion.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Armed Forces for their efforts against insurgency, but stressed that security challenges require a multidimensional approach.
According to him, “We must go beyond kinetic operations to address the root causes of unrest—tackling youth unemployment through technical education, revitalising agriculture, improving road networks and implementing poverty reduction programmes.”
Zulum also drew attention to climate forecasts projecting heightened flood risks in the region, urging governors to prioritise mitigation strategies to protect lives and critical infrastructure.
He warned that the high cost of farm inputs this year could trigger food insecurity if not addressed through subsidies and large-scale irrigation farming.
At the end of the meeting on Saturday, the Governors issued a communiqué highlighting key resolutions.
They acknowledged successes in the fight against insurgency but noted that the region still faces serious humanitarian and infrastructural challenges.
The Forum raised concerns over impending flood risks, calling for proactive measures, sensitisation of communities in flood plains, and support from the Federal Government and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to rebuild damaged infrastructure, especially bridges.
It also decried the high cost of agricultural inputs, urging increased subsidies and better preparation for dry-season farming to avert food crises.
The governors further resolved to hold the Northeast Trade Fair in partnership with NECCIMA in Maiduguri, Borno State, in December 2025.
In addition, the Forum recommitted to addressing energy poverty, mandating the subregional Committee on Power and Energy to produce an integrated Northeast Power Masterplan.
The meeting was chaired by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State.