Governors from Nigeria’s northern states have approved the establishment of a Security Trust Fund Board and pledged a combined monthly contribution of ₦1 billion to strengthen efforts aimed at addressing insecurity across the region.
The decision was reached on Wednesday during a strategic security meeting in Kaduna, attended by members of the Northern Governors’ Forum, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.
Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the newly created Trust Fund is designed to serve as a practical, transparent, and results-driven platform for improving security coordination, rather than becoming another bureaucratic institution.
According to Yahaya, the initiative is intended to enhance collaboration and provide sustainable support for security operations across Northern Nigeria.
Board of Trustees
The governors appointed the following individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Northern Security Trust Fund:
Co-Chairs
- Alhaji Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, CFR
- General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), CFR
Members
- Lt. Gen. Umar Farouk Yahaya (rtd), Sokoto – Former Chief of Army Staff
- DIG Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa (rtd), Jigawa – Former Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Research and Statistics)
- AVM Kabiru Aliyu (rtd), Taraba – Former Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters
- Prof. Usman Tar, Borno – Commissioner for Security, Borno State
- AVM Napoleon Bali (rtd), Plateau – Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (rtd), Niger – National Coordinator, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons
- AIG Sunday Babaji (rtd), Gombe – Former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Kaduna
- AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (rtd), Kogi – Former Chief of Policy and Plans, Defence Headquarters
- Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (rtd), Kano – Former Chief of Army Standards and Evaluation
- Muhammad Mujtaba Isa, Zamfara – Former Head of Service
- Alhaji Adamu Tanko Umar, Nasarawa – Retired Chief Superintendent of Customs
- Malam Abubakar Mustafa, Kaduna – Former Head of Service
- DIG Sani Usman Mohammed (rtd), Bauchi – Chief Security Officer, Bauchi State
- Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (rtd), Kebbi – Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser
- Barr. Boss Mustapha, CFR, Adamawa – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- Alhaji Falalu Bawale, Katsina – Head of the Civil Service, Katsina State
- Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Bolakala Agbab (rtd), Kwara – Former Chief of Staff, 82 Division, Nigerian Army
- Maj. Gen. John Seyina Malu (rtd), Benue – Former Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation
- IGP Usman Alkali Baba (rtd), Yobe – Former Inspector-General of Police
The governors expressed confidence that the Trust Fund and its board would play a crucial role in mobilising resources, improving inter-agency cooperation, and supporting ongoing efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security threats across Northern Nigeria.