Governors under the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have directed all states to strengthen security measures during the 2025 festive season, following warnings from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The decision was reached at the 8th meeting of the Forum, held in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.
In a communiqué signed by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the governors disclosed that they received a letter from ONSA calling for heightened security preparedness nationwide due to increased population movements, large public gatherings, and elevated public safety risks during the festive period.
According to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors resolved to improve inter-agency coordination among security agencies, enhance intelligence sharing, protect critical national and state infrastructure, and sustain a visible security presence in identified hotspots to deter crime and ensure public safety.
“The Forum resolved to ensure a safe and incident-free festive season nationwide,” the communiqué stated.
World Bank Funding Boost
The NGF also confirmed that the World Bank has approved the effectiveness of additional financing for the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, enabling participating states to continue accessing funds under the programme.
NG-CARES was introduced by the Federal Government, with World Bank support, as a social protection and economic recovery intervention aimed at cushioning the impact of economic shocks on vulnerable households.
The programme supports livelihoods, food security initiatives, labour-intensive public works, and community-level resilience projects, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Governors pledged to sustain implementation momentum, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and ensure the efficient utilisation of funds to deliver measurable outcomes for targeted beneficiaries.
Primary Healthcare Reforms
On healthcare delivery, the Forum acknowledged the outcome of the third edition of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards, held on December 12, which recognised 13 states for measurable progress in strengthening primary healthcare systems.
The PHC Leadership Challenge, supported by development partners in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, was introduced to promote accountability, encourage peer learning among states, and accelerate progress toward universal health coverage through improved primary healthcare governance and financing.
Health policy experts noted that increased political leadership at the state level has led to notable improvements in service delivery, particularly in immunisation, maternal and child health services, and basic disease prevention.
Yobe State emerged as the national overall winner, while Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Rivers, and Osun states topped their respective geopolitical zones. Kwara, Gombe, Kaduna, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Ogun states were named first runners-up.
The governors said the results underscore the importance of sustained political leadership and peer-driven accountability in strengthening healthcare systems, committing to consolidate the gains recorded and scale up reforms aimed at improving access to quality primary healthcare services nationwide.