Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF) to strengthen regional efforts against insecurity.
The inauguration took place during the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting in Kaduna and marks the formal commencement of the Trust Fund established by the 19 Northern governors to mobilise sustainable funding, improve intelligence sharing, enhance security coordination and support the Federal Government’s fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
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).
Other members include former Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya (rtd), former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba (rtd), former SGF Boss Mustapha, Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali (rtd), Prof. Usman Tar, DIG Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa (rtd), AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd), DIG Sani Usman Mohammed (rtd), alongside other retired military officers, senior police officers, technocrats and security experts drawn from the 19 Northern states.
Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the Trust Fund reflects the collective commitment of Northern governors to confront the growing security challenges affecting the region.
He noted that while the Federal Government has the constitutional responsibility for national security, the scale of insecurity requires stronger regional collaboration to support security agencies through intelligence gathering, resource mobilisation and coordinated interventions.
“The security crisis in Northern Nigeria requires prompt, coordinated and decisive measures. The Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund is conceived as a practical mechanism to mobilise resources, strengthen intelligence collaboration and complement the efforts of the Federal Government and its security agencies,” the governor said.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya urged members of the Board to ensure transparency, accountability and measurable results, stressing that the Fund must deliver real improvements in intelligence sharing, rapid response and the protection of lives and property.
He also appealed to the 19 Northern governors to fulfil their commitment to contribute ₦1 billion monthly for 12 months through their states and local governments to ensure the sustainability of the initiative.
According to him, tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility and should not be left to only a few states.
The governor reaffirmed the Forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing security reforms, including discussions on state policing, while emphasising that the Trust Fund is designed to complement—not replace—the country’s existing security architecture.
He added that long-term peace also depends on addressing the root causes of insecurity through investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills acquisition and job creation.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, the private sector, development partners and civil society organisations to support the initiative.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership, describing his ability to unite Northern governors across political parties as essential to addressing the region’s security and development challenges.
Similarly, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani praised the Gombe governor’s inclusive leadership style, saying it has strengthened cooperation among Northern governors and inspired renewed commitment to finding lasting solutions to insecurity.
The inauguration of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund is expected to provide a coordinated regional platform for improving security, restoring peace and promoting economic development across Northern Nigeria.
