The Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Wednesday inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), describing it as a major regional initiative to strengthen the fight against insecurity across Northern Nigeria.
The inauguration took place during a joint meeting of Northern governors and traditional rulers in Kaduna, where leaders resolved to deepen collaboration in tackling terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats affecting the region.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the Trust Fund was established to mobilise sustainable resources, strengthen intelligence sharing, improve security coordination and complement the efforts of federal security agencies.
He stressed that while the Federal Government retains constitutional responsibility for national security, the scale of the challenges facing the North requires stronger regional cooperation.
“The security crisis in Northern Nigeria requires prompt, coordinated and decisive measures. Our people are looking for action, protection, stability and hope,” he said, adding that the Trust Fund must remain transparent, accountable and focused on measurable results.
The Board is co-chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), with membership drawn from retired military officers, former police chiefs, security experts and other distinguished Nigerians nominated by the 19 Northern states.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya also called on member states to honour the Forum’s resolution requiring each state and its local governments to contribute ₦1 billion monthly for twelve months to guarantee sustainable funding for the initiative.
He maintained that military operations alone could not guarantee lasting peace, urging greater investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills development and job creation to address the root causes of insecurity.
Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership of the Northern Governors’ Forum, while Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, praised his consensus-building approach, saying it had strengthened cooperation among governors in addressing regional security and development challenges.
The establishment of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund is expected to provide a coordinated institutional framework through which the 19 Northern states will support intelligence gathering, resource mobilisation and other initiatives aimed at improving security across the region.
