Governors of the nineteen Northern states have reaffirmed their resolve to confront ongoing security challenges and fast-track socio-economic development across the region.
The decision was reached on Monday at a meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) held at the Gombe State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the Forum, chaired by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, reiterated its support for the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and ongoing federal efforts to address evolving security threats across the country.
The governors emphasized that peace and stability remain critical to development in Northern Nigeria and the nation at large, urging citizens to support the President, the military, and other security agencies in safeguarding the country.
They noted that growing collaboration among Northern states is already producing encouraging results in tackling security and development challenges, but stressed the need to sustain and scale up joint interventions.
To improve effectiveness, the Forum endorsed plans to strengthen and restructure its institutional framework. The governors said the move would enhance coordination among member states, ensure policy continuity, and improve strategic engagement.
As part of the reform efforts, the Forum also backed the digitization of the NSGF Secretariat to modernize operations and boost efficiency in policy coordination and implementation.
On the economic front, the governors resolved to engage experts to develop practical strategies for harnessing the region’s revenue potential, with the aim of increasing internally generated revenue and easing fiscal pressures on states.
The meeting also focused on energy development, with the governors reaffirming their commitment to ongoing engagements with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Technology Transfer regarding the proposed New Nigeria Energy Company (NNEC).
They pledged continued collaboration to ensure the successful rollout of the Sun Africa Project, expected to improve energy supply and drive industrial growth across Northern Nigeria.
The Forum concluded by reiterating its commitment to deeper inter-state cooperation, stronger governance structures, and policies aimed at ensuring lasting peace, economic resilience, and shared prosperity in the region.