Northern Governors Launch N228 Billion Security Trust Fund to Tackle Rising Insecurity

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has unveiled a bold initiative to combat the escalating insecurity plaguing the region, approving a Regional Security Trust Fund with a staggering N228 billion annual budget.

The decision, announced following a joint meeting with Northern Traditional Rulers in Kaduna on December 1, 2025, mandates each of the 19 northern states to contribute N1 billion monthly, in collaboration with local governments, to finance joint security operations.

The move comes amid a wave of abductions, insurgent attacks, and banditry affecting states such as Borno, Sokoto, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Jigawa, Kano, and Yobe.

The governors expressed deep sympathy for affected communities, particularly following recent killings and kidnappings, including those of schoolchildren, and reaffirmed their commitment to regional unity and stability.

In a communiqué signed by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the NSGF chairman, the forum endorsed the establishment of state police, urging lawmakers to expedite necessary legislation to enhance local security frameworks.

Additionally, the governors called for a six-month suspension of mining activities across the North to conduct a comprehensive audit of mining licenses. This measure targets illegal mining, increasingly linked to rural banditry and insecurity, with plans to revalidate all licenses in consultation with state authorities.

The governors also commended President Bola Tinubu for recent rescue efforts and ongoing security operations, honoring the sacrifices of security forces. They pledged stronger support for intensified actions against insurgents and criminal groups, signaling a unified regional approach to complement federal efforts.

The Security Trust Fund, with an estimated annual contribution of N228 billion (19 states × N1 billion × 12 months), aims to reduce reliance on overstretched national security forces by empowering local initiatives.

The funding will be deducted at source under a yet-to-be-finalized framework, a strategy intended to ensure consistent financial support for security operations.

The decision reflects growing frustration with the federal government’s response to Nigeria’s security crisis, particularly in the North, where Boko Haram and armed bandits have displaced thousands.

The NSGF’s collaboration with traditional rulers underscores a cultural dimension to the strategy, leveraging local influence to foster community support.

The forum has recommended that President Tinubu direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to implement the mining suspension and audit. Meanwhile, legislative efforts for state police are expected to gain momentum, potentially reshaping Nigeria’s security architecture.

The NSGF’s actions signal a proactive stance, but analysts warn that execution will be critical. With the fund’s first contributions due in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on whether this initiative can deliver the stability the region desperately needs.