Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Governors of the 19 Northern states, under the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu in tackling Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, while also unveiling fresh plans to boost regional revenue and drive energy development.
The governors made their position known in a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting held on Monday at the Gombe State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, said the region remains fully aligned with the Federal Government’s security agenda.
“The Forum reaffirms its steadfast commitment to continuing its support for the Federal Government, under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in effectively countering evolving security threats,” he said.
Yahaya also called on Nigerians to rally behind the President and security agencies.
“We appeal to all Nigerians to support the President, our armed forces and other security agencies in the critical national assignment of securing Nigeria,” he added.
The Forum acknowledged what it described as growing coordination among Northern states in tackling insecurity and development concerns, noting that joint efforts were beginning to yield results.
“The unified efforts of member states are already producing positive outcomes, and we are committed to sustaining and strengthening these collaborations,” the communiqué stated.
On institutional reforms, the governors pledged to strengthen the Forum’s structure for better policy coordination and long-term impact.
“We are determined to put the NSGF on a solid foundation that enhances coordination, ensures continuity, and improves our capacity for strategic engagement and policy implementation,” Yahaya said, adding that the Forum would support the digitisation of its Secretariat.
In a move to shore up internally generated revenue, the governors resolved to engage consultants to identify and optimise taxable opportunities across the region.
“To determine and appropriately tap from the region’s taxable revenue, we have agreed to engage relevant consultants to work out modalities,” the chairman disclosed.
The Forum also announced plans to deepen engagement with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer, particularly on the proposed New Nigeria Energy Company (NNEC) under the Sun Africa Project.
“We will continue our engagement on the establishment of the New Nigeria Energy Company to facilitate the implementation of the Sun Africa Project,” Yahaya said.
The meeting ended with an agreement to reconvene at a later date.
“The Forum adjourned to reconvene on a date to be communicated in due course,” the communiqué added.
