Northern Governors Launch N1bn Monthly Security Fund

On Wednesday, the Northern State Governors Forum, led by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, inaugurated the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF) in Kaduna. The governors pledged to contribute N1 billion monthly for one year to strengthen regional efforts against insecurity, including banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Yahaya emphasized the necessity of the fund due to increasing threats across Northern Nigeria and stated that it would complement federal security efforts while improving intelligence sharing and resource mobilization. The board of trustees, comprising representatives from 19 northern states, was established to ensure transparency and prudent management of the fund.

Yahaya called on fellow governors to fulfill their pledges promptly and urged the board to collaborate closely with federal security agencies and community leaders. He acknowledged the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration to improving national security and advocated for greater investments in education, agriculture, and job creation to address the root causes of insecurity.