Northern Governors Launch Security Trust Fund, Appoint Agwai and Yayale Ahmed as Co-Chairmen

Kaduna — The Northern States Governors’ Forum has inaugurated the board of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF), appointing former Martin Luther Agwai and former Defence Minister and ex-Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as co-chairmen of the board.
The inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, marking what northern governors described as a significant regional effort to tackle the worsening security situation across Northern Nigeria.
The newly constituted board comprises an array of retired military officers, former police chiefs, senior security experts and public administrators drawn from the 19 northern states. It is expected to provide strategic direction for the Trust Fund while mobilising financial resources, strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinating efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes that have continued to threaten lives and livelihoods across the region.
Among those appointed to the board are former Chief of Army Staff Faruk Yahaya representing Sokoto State; former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba from Yobe State; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha representing Adamawa State; Senator Napoleon Bali from Plateau State; former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Inuwa representing Jigawa State; Air Vice Marshal Kabiru Aliyu from Taraba State; Professor Usman Tar representing Borno State; Major General A. M. Dikko from Niger State; Assistant Inspector-General of Police Sunday Babaji representing Gombe State; Air Vice Marshal Farouk Omeiza Umar from Kogi State; Major General Muhammad Sani from Kano State; Major General Bello Sarkin Yaki representing Kebbi State; Major General John Malu from Benue State; and Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbab representing Kwara State, among others.
Speaking during the inauguration, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Uba Sani, said the establishment of the Security Trust Fund reflects the collective determination of northern governors to confront the region’s security challenges through a coordinated, sustainable and community-driven approach.
He stressed that the Trust Fund is not intended to replace the constitutional responsibilities of the Federal Government or existing security agencies but to complement ongoing efforts by providing additional resources, strategic coordination and operational support.
According to him, the effectiveness of the initiative would not be measured by the number of meetings held but by its ability to protect lives, secure communities and restore confidence among citizens.
To ensure adequate funding for the initiative, the governors resolved that each of the 19 northern states, together with their respective local government councils, would contribute ₦1 billion monthly for a period of 12 months to finance the activities of the Trust Fund.
The initiative also received the endorsement of northern traditional rulers led by the Sa’ad Abubakar III. The Sultan described the establishment of the Security Trust Fund as a long-overdue practical intervention capable of strengthening collective responses to insecurity and improving collaboration between governments, security institutions and local communities.
The Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund is expected to serve as a regional platform for mobilising resources, enhancing intelligence gathering and supporting coordinated security operations aimed at addressing persistent threats including terrorism, armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling across Northern Nigeria.