•Appoint Yayale Ahmed, Gen. Agwai as co-chairmen
From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
In a major coordinated effort to tackle the region’s worsening security crisis, the 19 Northern State Governors have officially inaugurated the Board of Trustees for the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund.
As part of the initiative, each northern state and its local government areas have committed to contributing N1 billion monthly for the next 12 months to finance regional security operations.
The historic inauguration took place on Tuesday, during the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF) meeting in Kaduna, presided over by the Forum’s Chairman and Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
Speaking at the event, Governor Yahaya identified banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime as the single greatest threat to livelihoods and economic development in the north.
He emphasized that while national security remains a federal responsibility, the 19 northern states must take proactive steps to complement federal initiatives.
“The efforts of the 19 Northern States are essential to support federal initiatives, improve intelligence sharing, and establish a lasting framework for regional security and prosperity,” Yahaya stated.
He stressed that the Trust Fund was designed to mobilize critical resources and streamline regional security coordination, warning that it “must not become just another layer of bureaucracy.”
He urged all member governors to fulfill their monthly financial pledges without delay.
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society, and the private sector to support the initiative, noting that “security is not the responsibility of government alone. It is a collective duty.”
The Forum appointed two veteran security and administrative leaders to head the trust fund’s leadership team – Co-Chairmen: Alhaji Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, (Former Minister of Defense / SGF), and General Martin Luther Agwai, rtd (Former Chief of Defense Staff)
The board also features a heavily decorated roster of security experts and retired top-ranking officers representing each of the northern states.
Other members inaugurated include retired Lt. Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya from Sokoto, retired DIG Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa from Jigawa, retired AVM Kabiru Aliyu from Taraba, Borno Security Commissioner, Prof. Usman Tar, retired AVM Napoleon Bali from Plateau, retired Maj. Gen. A.M Dikko from Niger, retired AIG Sunday Babaji from Gombe, retired AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar from Kogi, retired Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani from Kano, former Zamfara Head of Service Muhammad Mujtaba Isa, retired CSC Adamu Tanko Umar from Nasarawa, former Kaduna Head of Service Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, retired DIG Sani Usman Mohammed from Bauchi, retired Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki from Kebbi, former SGF Boss Mustafa from Adamawa, Katsina Head of Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale, retired Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab from Kwara, retired Maj—Gen. John Seyina Malu from Benue, and former IGP Usman Alkali Baba from Yobe.
In his remarks, Co-Chairman Yayale Ahmed, committed the Board to the responsible use of resources.
He stated it will utilize technology, drones, early warning systems, and digital mapping to improve response efforts.
He also emphasized that priority will be given to non-kinetic measures such as community intelligence, deradicalization, and youth empowerment, with traditional rulers playing a key role.
“The Trust Fund is being inaugurated today as a direct response to the cries of our people for safety and peace.
“ We pledge our total commitment to ensure the safety of these funds and their judicious application,” he said.
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also pledged support from traditional institutions and urged the government to focus on education, health, and social services to address the root causes of insecurity.
