Governors of the 19 Northern states in Nigeria have inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF) as part of efforts to strengthen regional security.
The Governors described the initiative as a major response to growing insecurity across the region.
They urged member states to fulfil their pledge of contributing ₦1 billion monthly for one year to support security operations and interventions.
Speaking at the meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the inauguration of the board in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya disclosed that the trust fund will serve as a practical mechanism for mobilising resources, strengthening intelligence sharing, improving security coordination and complementing efforts of the federal government and security agencies.
Governor Yahaya said the security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and drug abuse has continued to threaten lives and economic development across the region, making coordinated action imperative.
He disclosed that the forum had earlier resolved that each Northern state, together with its local governments, would contribute ₦1 billion monthly for 12 months to finance it, commending states that had already begun redeeming their pledges while urging others to do the same without delay.
The Governor said; “The task before us is too urgent and too important to be left to a few states alone, stressing that, sustained funding was essential for the success of the initiative”.
Governor Yahaya explained that “the board of trustees nominated by the 19 Northern states would provide oversight, ensure transparency and accountability, prioritise interventions and support initiatives aimed at improving security coordination across the region.”
He cautioned that the trust fund must not become another bureaucratic institution but should remain a responsive, results-oriented platform focused on improving intelligence sharing, rapid response and the protection of lives and property.
Governor Yahaya reaffirmed the forum’s support for President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian government’s efforts to restore peace and security nationwide, while expressing support for ongoing discussions on state policing as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
According to him, “the complexity of insecurity in Northern Nigeria requires stronger local intelligence, greater community participation and more responsive security interventions.”
He also urged Northern leaders to tackle the root causes of insecurity by investing in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills acquisition and job creation, noting that poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the growing number of out-of-school children continues to fuel criminality.
The NSGF chairman further called for measures to support farmers affected by insecurity during the current farming season and advocated stronger collaboration among governments, traditional institutions, security agencies and communities to prevent conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence.
He appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners to support the Security Trust Fund, insisting that safeguarding lives and property is a shared responsibility.
Governor Yahaya assured members of the newly inaugurated board of trustees of the support of the Northern governors and traditional rulers.
He expressed confidence that the Fund would strengthen regional collaboration and contribute to lasting peace, stability and development across Northern Nigeria.
