GOVERNOR MUTFWANG ATTENDS NORTHERN GOVERNORS' FORUM MEETING; LAUNCHES REGIONAL SECURITY TRUST FUND, COMMITS ₦1 BILLION MONTHLY TO STRENGTHEN THE FIGHT AGAINST INSECURITY

‎The Northern Governors' Forum (NGF), in partnership with the Northern Traditional Rulers' Council, has taken a major step towards confronting the escalating security crisis in Northern Nigeria with the inauguration of a 21-member Board of Trustees for the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF).

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‎The landmark decision was reached during a joint meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, where governors and traditional rulers unanimously resolved to establish a sustainable regional framework to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security coordination and mobilise financial resources for combating insecurity across the 19 northern states.

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‎The inauguration of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund represents one of the most significant regional security initiatives undertaken by Northern governors in recent years not depending solely on federal security interventions rather enforcing the political will to establish a structured funding mechanism backed by monthly contributions from all 19 states.

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‎Plateau State Governor, Barr.  Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang's participation reinforces Plateau State's strategic role in shaping regional security policy which aligns with his administration's emphasis on peacebuilding, community resilience and collaborative governance.

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‎Plateau's former Senator, Napoleon Bali, is to serve on the Board of Trustees, positions Plateau as an active contributor to regional peace, intelligence cooperation and long-term security stabilisation across Northern Nigeria.

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‎Inaugurating the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum, the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the event as "a significant milestone in our collective effort to confront one of the most pressing security challenges facing Northern Nigeria."

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‎He noted that persistent banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other forms of criminality have continued to threaten livelihoods, weaken social cohesion and slow economic development across the region.

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‎According to him, the governors resolved that "the security crisis in Northern Nigeria requires strong, coordinated and decisive measures" capable of restoring peace and rescuing the region from further decline.

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‎Governor Yahaya explained that the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund was conceived as a practical and sustainable mechanism to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by supporting intelligence collaboration, enhancing inter-state security coordination and mobilising strategic resources for security interventions. Stressing that the initiative was not intended to become another bureaucratic institution, he maintained that the Fund must remain "a focused, responsive and credible platform for resource mobilisation, strategic support and coordination" capable of producing measurable improvements in the protection of lives and property.

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‎In a collective commitment, the Forum reaffirmed the decision of the 19 northern states to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to finance the Trust Fund. The governors urged all member states to redeem their pledges promptly, insisting that security requires sustainable financing rather than periodic interventions.

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‎In a  communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his continued commitment to strengthening Nigeria's security architecture while reiterating the Forum's support for ongoing constitutional efforts towards the establishment of state police as an additional layer of security management.

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‎Responding on behalf of the Board, Mallam Ahmed assured the governors that members accepted the assignment "with humility and a deep sense of duty," pledging prudent management of the Fund and transparent utilisation of resources to restore security across Northern Nigeria.

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‎Ahmed emphasised that the Board would prioritise technology-driven security solutions, including the deployment of drones, digital mapping, early warning systems and improved intelligence gathering, alongside non-kinetic approaches such as youth empowerment, community engagement and rehabilitation programmes.

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‎He stressed that the Trust Fund "must not be seen as another bureaucratic layer" but as an action-oriented institution committed to delivering tangible security outcomes through accountability, transparency and measurable impact.

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‎In his address, Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers' Council and Sultan of Sokoto, His Royal Higness Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III, described the inauguration as the beginning of a practical response to years of insecurity in the North.

 He expressed confidence in the integrity and competence of the Board members, noting that they possess the experience and credibility required to manage the Fund responsibly. The Sultan assured the governors of the unwavering support of traditional rulers, stressing that community leaders remain indispensable partners because they possess intimate knowledge of local security realities and can facilitate grassroots intelligence.

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‎The joint communiqué issued after the meeting reaffirmed the Forum's determination to confront the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the growing population of out-of-school children. 

While acknowledging that military operations remain necessary, the governors agreed that lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained investments in education, agriculture, youth empowerment, livelihoods and skills development. They also resolved to work closely with local governments, traditional institutions, security agencies and community leaders to prevent conflicts before they escalate.

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‎The Forum further called for proactive measures to protect farmers during the current rainy season, noting that insecurity continues to prevent many rural communities from accessing their farmlands. The governors pledged support for livestock transformation initiatives, peaceful coexistence programmes and modern agricultural production systems capable of strengthening food security and stimulating economic recovery throughout Northern Nigeria.

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‎Among the governors who participated in the strategic meeting was the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, whose administration has consistently prioritised peacebuilding, inter-community dialogue and security sector collaboration.

 His participation underscored Plateau State's commitment to regional cooperation in confronting trans-border criminality and advancing collective security initiatives capable of protecting vulnerable communities, restoring confidence among farmers and investors, and fostering sustainable development across the North.

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‎The newly inaugurated Board co-chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mallam Yayale Ahmed, which has retired General Martin Luther Agwai, with former Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Napoleon Bali, among its members climaxed with a renewed appeal to all stakeholders including governments, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the private sector, development partners and citizens—to support the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund. 

Participants agreed that defeating insecurity requires collective ownership, sustained financial commitment and coordinated action with the optimism that the new Trust Fund will serve as a catalyst for restoring peace, strengthening regional stability and accelerating socio-economic development across Northern Nigeria.

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‎Gyang Bere, PhD

‎Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State

‎July 8, 2026