By Ayodele Oni
Governors of the 19 Northern states are raising N228 billion within a year to tackle insecurity in the region.
Already, a Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), has been inaugurated, an initiative described as a major regional response to worsening insecurity.
Member states have been urged to promptly fulfil their commitment to contribute ₦1 billion monthly for one year to support security interventions.
Speaking at the meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the inauguration of the Board in Kaduna, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the Trust Fund would serve as a practical mechanism for mobilizing resources, strengthening intelligence sharing, improving security coordination and complementing the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies.
Yahaya pointed out that the security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and drug abuse, continue to threaten lives, livelihoods 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 the Trust Fund
Be commended states that had already commenced redeeming their pledges while urging others to do the same without delay.
“The task before us is too urgent and too important to be left to a few states alone,” he said, stressing that sustained funding was essential for the success of the initiative.
The Governor explained that the Board of Trustees, nominated by the 19 Northern states, would provide oversight, ensure transparency and accountability, prioritize 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.
Yahaya reaffirmed the Forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal 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 continue 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.
Yahaya assured members of the newly inaugurated Board of Trustees of the support of the Northern governors and traditional rulers, expressing confidence that the Fund would strengthen regional collaboration and contribute to lasting peace, stability and development across Northern Nigeria.
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