Northern Governors Unite, Pledge ₦1bn Every Month To Tackle Insecurity

Northern governors have unveiled a Regional Security Trust Fund Board and committed to contributing ₦1 billion every month as part of renewed efforts to combat insecurity across the region.

According to reports, the decision was reached on Wednesday during a high-level joint security meeting involving Northern governors, traditional rulers, and key stakeholders in Kaduna State.

Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, explained that the newly established Security Trust Fund is designed to serve as a practical, transparent, and result-driven platform for strengthening security coordination across Northern Nigeria rather than creating another bureaucratic institution.

To oversee the initiative, the governors constituted a Board of Trustees made up of experienced military officers, retired security chiefs, senior public servants, and respected statesmen from across the region.

The board will be jointly chaired by Alhaji Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, CFR, and General Martin Luther Agwai, CFR.

Other members include former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya (rtd); retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa; Air Vice Marshal Kabiru Aliyu (rtd); Borno State Commissioner for Security, Prof. Usman Tar; retired Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali; Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (rtd); retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Sunday Babaji; Air Vice Marshal Farouk Omeiza Umar (rtd); Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (rtd); Muhammad Mujtaba Isa; Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar; Malam Abubakar Mustafa; retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Sani Usman Mohammed; Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd); former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustafa; Alhaji Falalu Bawale; Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab (rtd); Maj. Gen. John Seyina Malu (rtd); and former Inspector General of Police Usman Alkali Baba.

The governors expressed optimism that the Trust Fund would improve collaboration among security agencies, mobilise critical resources, and enhance coordinated responses to the security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.