Northern Governors Launch Regional Security Fund, Pledge N1 Billion Monthly to Bolster Fight Against Insecurity

Governors of Nigeria’s 19 northern states have formally inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), unveiling a coordinated regional initiative aimed at strengthening efforts to tackle insecurity across the region through sustained financial support.

The decision was announced on Wednesday during a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna. As part of the initiative, the governors committed to a collective monthly contribution of ₦1 billion for an initial period of one year to support the trust fund’s operations.

Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the establishment of the fund was driven by the persistent security threats confronting the region, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, drug-related crimes and other forms of violent criminality.

According to him, the trust fund is designed to complement the efforts of federal security agencies by improving intelligence gathering, mobilising resources and fostering greater collaboration among states and security institutions. He described the inauguration of the Board of Trustees as a major milestone in creating a structured, transparent and sustainable framework for addressing the region’s security challenges.

Yahaya noted that while the Federal Government retains the constitutional responsibility for national security, state governments also have a critical role to play by supporting intelligence operations, strengthening community resilience and promoting regional cooperation.

He added that members of the Board of Trustees were selected from across the 19 northern states based on their integrity, experience and commitment to public service, urging them to manage the fund with accountability and transparency.

The governors said contributions to the trust fund would come from the northern states and their local governments under an agreed framework to ensure predictable and sustainable financing for security interventions.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by northern leaders to develop a more coordinated regional response to insecurity, which continues to affect lives, livelihoods and economic activities across many parts of Northern Nigeria. During the meeting, the governors and traditional rulers also reaffirmed their support for ongoing discussions on state policing and other reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.