North-East governors seek new strategy against insurgency, push for regional infrastructure revival
By: Zagazola Makama
Governors of the six North-East states have called for a comprehensive review of counter-insurgency strategies in the region and renewed their collective commitment to addressing insecurity, poor infrastructure, youth unemployment, and out-of-school children.
This was part of a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of the 11th North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) meeting held on Thursday in Damaturu, Yobe State. The document was presented to journalists by the Governor of Taraba, Dr Agbu Kefas, on behalf of the Forum.
The meeting was attended by Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), while the Governor of Bauchi State was represented by his Deputy, Auwal Jatau.
Governor Zulum, who chairs the Forum, presided over the closed-door session, which focused on emerging threats in the region and efforts to foster regional cooperation in security and development.
Reading the communiqué, Governor Kefas said the Forum commended the Federal Government’s interventions on national security but expressed concern over the resurgence of insurgent activities in parts of the North-East.
“The Forum notes with dismay the rising activities of insurgents in the sub-region and calls on the Armed Forces, other security agencies, and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter-insurgency onslaught,” he said.
He explained that governors of the region had agreed that the fight against insecurity must go beyond military solutions and include targeted investments in education, skills acquisition, road rehabilitation, and poverty alleviation to address the root causes of violence and extremism.
“The security challenges in the region require a multidimensional approach that not only includes kinetic operations but also socioeconomic interventions such as youth empowerment through technical and vocational education, improved road networks, quality education, and poverty reduction,” Kefas said.
The Forum also identified poor road infrastructure as a major contributor to insecurity and underdevelopment. It called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the completion of abandoned federal road projects across the region as a matter of urgent national importance.
“Road connectivity is critical to economic integration, food security, and military logistics. We appeal to the Federal Government to urgently address these abandoned projects that continue to deepen poverty and expose communities to insecurity,” the communiqué stated.
The governors also resolved to promote regional investment in agriculture, renewable energy, climate resilience, and industrialisation to create employment for the region’s youth population, which they described as vulnerable to exploitation by extremist groups.
On the role of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the Forum commended its contributions but urged the agency to improve coordination with state governments and development partners. It also charged the Commission to stay focused on its mandate of rebuilding the region after years of devastation caused by insurgency.
The Forum called for accelerated delivery of ongoing NEDC projects and better tracking of project timelines to ensure accountability and transparency.
In the education sector, the governors expressed support for the expansion of the Nigerian Law School Yola Campus and pledged to provide hostel accommodation, potable water, and other basic facilities to enhance the learning environment and increase student intake.
Also emphasizing was the challenge of Al-Majiri and out-of-school children, where the governors pledged to collaborate with the National Commission for Al-Majiri and Out-of-School Children Education. They resolved to provide offices in each state and jointly develop a regional framework to enrol children into formal and vocational education.
“We are determined to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the region. This is essential to ending the cycle of illiteracy, poverty, and radicalisation,” Kefas stated.
The Forum announced that its 12th meeting will hold in Jalingo, Taraba State, from July 27 to 29, 2025.
