KADUNA, Nigeria — Secretaries to the governments of Northern States convened in Kaduna on Tuesday for a high-level meeting to harmonise key issues and set the agenda for the upcoming Northern Governors Forum meeting on security, economic integration, and regional development, according to a statement released after the session.
The meeting, which brought together SSGs from the 19 northern states, was convened to align positions on critical issues affecting the region, including insecurity, economic integration, education, and infrastructure development. The meeting also served as a platform to review the progress of regional initiatives, including the establishment of the Northern Regional Development Agenda and the implementation of the North-East Development Commission’s programmes.
The SSGs expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the region, including banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts. The statement noted that the northern states would present a unified position to the federal government on the need for enhanced security measures and the implementation of sustainable solutions to the region’s challenges. The meeting also addressed the need for strengthened collaboration among northern states to address the issue of out-of-school children, with the SSGs agreeing to develop a regional strategy to improve access to education.
A source close to the meeting, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the SSGs also discussed the proposed state police framework and agreed to support the constitutional amendment currently awaiting ratification by state Houses of Assembly. “The northern states are fully aligned on this issue. We see state police as a critical tool for addressing our unique security challenges, and we are committed to ensuring that the necessary legal framework is put in place,” the source said.
The meeting was chaired by the SSG of Kaduna State and attended by representatives from all 19 northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory. The forum is expected to submit its recommendations to the Northern Governors Forum, which is scheduled to hold its next meeting in the coming weeks.
The statement further indicated that the SSGs resolved to strengthen the Northern States Governors’ Forum Secretariat to enhance its capacity to coordinate regional initiatives and provide technical support to member states. They also agreed to intensify advocacy for increased federal government support for regional development programmes, particularly in the areas of agriculture, irrigation, and rural infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the SSGs, the Chairman of the Forum, who also serves as the SSG of Kaduna State, said: “This meeting is part of our collective effort to ensure that the Northern States Governors’ Forum is better positioned to address the challenges facing our region. We are committed to working together to promote peace, security, and prosperity for the people of northern Nigeria.”
The Northern Governors Forum, which comprises the governors of the 19 northern states, has been at the forefront of efforts to address the region’s challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment. The forum has also advocated for greater fiscal autonomy for states and the implementation of policies to promote economic diversification and job creation.
