Northern Governors Push for Continued Action as Security Shows Improvement

Nigeria’s northern state leaders have told the public that security in the region has improved in some areas, even as violence and other threats persist. At a meeting with governors from all 19 northern states, the chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum highlighted progress made since their last gathering in late 2025, crediting coordinated efforts and support from the federal government for the modest gains.

Despite acknowledging improvements, the forum warned against becoming complacent. Chairing the session, the Gombe State governor urged continued cooperation among states and security agencies to address new and lingering risks.

The governors also said insecurity in the region is closely linked to deeper issues like poverty and lack of education. They reiterated plans to tackle those underlying causes by expanding access to schooling, job opportunities, and community development initiatives as part of a longer‑term peace strategy.

To strengthen security further, the forum reaffirmed its backing for the creation of state police units, arguing that localised, intelligence‑driven forces are better suited to confronting complex threats. They also discussed measures to prevent farmer–herder clashes as the rainy season approaches and committed to building a regional security fund that multiple states have already begun contributing to.