Northern Governors Launch Security Trust Fund, Commit ₦1bn Monthly to Tackle Insecurity
The 19 governors of Northern Nigeria have launched the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, committing to a monthly contribution of ₦1 billion from each state and its local government councils for one year to strengthen efforts to combat insecurity across the region.
The initiative was formally unveiled on Wednesday during the meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum in Kaduna, where the Board of Trustees of the fund was also inaugurated.
Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, described the trust fund as a landmark regional intervention aimed at addressing the persistent security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, drug abuse and other forms of criminality.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General of Press Affairs at the Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, the governor said the initiative reflects the collective determination of northern governors to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to restore peace and security across the region.
Yahaya noted that previous meetings of the governors in Kaduna and Abuja concluded that the worsening security situation required stronger collaboration and coordinated action among the 19 northern states.
He explained that the Security Trust Fund would serve as a platform for mobilising financial resources, strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing, improving coordination among security agencies and enhancing the protection of lives and property.
The governor said the inauguration of the Board of Trustees marked the first practical step toward operationalising the initiative, adding that members were carefully selected from across the region based on their integrity, competence and commitment to public service.
He charged the trustees to ensure the fund delivers tangible results, warning against allowing it to become another bureaucratic institution with limited impact.
“The success of this initiative will be measured by improvements in intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities, effective coordination among security agencies and enhanced protection of communities,” he said.
Yahaya reminded his colleagues of an earlier resolution requiring each northern state, in collaboration with its local government councils, to contribute ₦1 billion monthly for one year to finance the trust fund.
He commended states that had already begun fulfilling their financial obligations and urged others to redeem their pledges promptly, stressing that sustained funding would be critical to the success of the initiative.
“Our commitment must go beyond resolutions and communiqués. It must be reflected in sustained financial support and concrete action,” he added.
The governor warned that insecurity continues to devastate communities, displace residents, disrupt agricultural activities, discourage investment and hinder economic growth across Northern Nigeria.
He emphasised that overcoming the security crisis would require not only military operations but also adequate financial support and effective implementation of agreed security strategies.
Yahaya also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government for ongoing efforts to strengthen national security, noting that discussions on state policing and other security reforms offered renewed hope.
He, however, clarified that the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund was established to complement existing national security structures rather than replace them.
According to him, the initiative will deepen collaboration between the northern states and federal security agencies while providing additional resources to improve security operations.
The forum chairman further stressed that addressing insecurity requires tackling its root causes, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the rising number of out-of-school children.
He called for increased investment in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, skills acquisition and sustainable livelihood programmes alongside ongoing security operations.
Yahaya also appealed to governments to guarantee the safety of farmers during the farming season, prevent communal conflicts and promote livestock reforms and modern agricultural practices as part of broader efforts to drive economic development.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, development partners, the private sector and residents of the region to support the initiative, describing security as a shared responsibility that requires the collective commitment of all stakeholders.
The governor expressed confidence that with unity, sustained funding and effective collaboration, Northern Nigeria could make significant progress in overcoming its security challenges.
