*Photo: Northern Governors*
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has taken a significant step in addressing the region’s worsening security challenges by inaugurating the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund Board and appointing two prominent retired military and security figures as co-chairmen.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), and former Defence Minister and Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, will co-chair the board.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, the Kaduna State capital.
The board brings together a high-powered team of retired generals, former security chiefs, and other senior professionals drawn from across the 19 northern states.
Its mandate includes providing strategic oversight, mobilising resources, enhancing intelligence sharing, and coordinating operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and cattle rustling.
Key members of the board include:
Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd), former Chief of Army Staff (Sokoto)
Usman Alkali Baba (rtd), former Inspector-General of Police (Yobe)
Boss Mustapha (rtd), former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (Adamawa)
Sen. Napoleon Bali (rtd), AVM (Plateau)
Hafiz Inuwa (rtd), former DIG (Jigawa)
AVM Kabiru Aliyu (Taraba)
Prof. Usman Tar (Borno)
Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (Niger)
AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd) (Gombe)
AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (Kogi)
Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (Kano)
Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (Kebbi)
Maj. Gen. John Malu (Benue)
Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab (Kwara)
and other distinguished personalities.
Speaking after the inauguration, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd) emphasised that the Trust Fund is designed to complement — not replace — the efforts of the Federal Government and existing security agencies.
“The Fund must be focused, responsive, and credible,” he said. “Its success will be measured not by the number of meetings held, but by the protection of lives and property of our people.”
The governors have resolved that each of the 19 northern states, in collaboration with their local government councils, will contribute ₦1 billion monthly for an initial period of 12 months to fund the initiative.
The move received strong endorsement from traditional rulers, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who described it as a long-overdue practical and proactive approach to tackling the region’s security challenges.
The regional initiative signals a renewed determination by northern leaders to confront insecurity through coordinated strategy, dedicated funding, and the strategic involvement of experienced retired security professionals.