Bomba Dauda
The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) on Monday, December 1, 2025, held a joint meeting at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, where they deliberated on key regional and national issues affecting the North.
The meeting, attended by governors of the 19 northern states and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils, reviewed the growing security challenges, governance concerns, and economic threats confronting the region.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the leaders reaffirmed their collective commitment to safeguarding the unity, stability, and development of Northern Nigeria.
The Forum commended governors and traditional rulers for their dedication to peacebuilding, noting that cooperation and peer review among Northern leaders remain vital to overcoming regional challenges.
They expressed deep condolences to the governments and people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Borno, and Yobe states over recent killings, abductions, including schoolchildren—and renewed Boko Haram attacks. The Forum also saluted the bravery of security personnel confronting violent extremism across the region.
The governors praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for efforts toward the rescue of abducted victims and the fight against insecurity. They pledged full support for decisive actions by the Federal Government to dismantle insurgent enclaves and end criminal activities.
Reaffirming their stance on state police, the Forum urged federal and state lawmakers from the North to accelerate legislative action to make it a reality.
The meeting identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity in the region. As part of measures to curb the menace, the Forum recommended that President Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining activities for six months to allow for a comprehensive audit. They also called for all existing mining licences to undergo revalidation in close collaboration with state governments.
To strengthen security operations, the Forum announced plans to establish a Regional Security Trust Fund. The fund will be financed through a monthly contribution of ₦1 billion from each state and local government, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.
The Forum resolved to reconvene at a later date to continue deliberations as efforts toward securing the region intensify.
