NORTH-EAST GOVERNORS RECOMMIT TO REGIONAL COOPERATION, SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT. (PHOTO).

 North-East Governors Recommit to Regional Cooperation, Security and Development

The North-East Governors’ Forum has renewed its commitment to regional cooperation, security, economic integration and development across the six states of the subregion.

The communique signed by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, indicates that

the meeting was attended by the governors of Borno, Adamawa and Gombe states, while Bauchi and Yobe states were represented by their deputy governors.

Also in attendance was the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors said the Forum had recorded significant progress since its inauguration in Gombe in March 2020, particularly in strengthening unity and presenting a collective voice on issues affecting the region.

The governors commended the Federal Government for renewed attention to the Port Harcourt-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri rail corridor, frontier oil exploration at Kolmani and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri highway.

They, however, called for the resumption of oil exploration activities earlier commenced in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State but subsequently stalled.

On electricity, the Forum said member states had collectively advanced the regional energy agenda, noting that the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant now feeds the national grid.

The governors further urged the states to take advantage of the new electricity law and the region’s abundant sunshine to expand solar and mini-grid solutions.

They also renewed their call for the Federal Government to expedite action on the Mambila Hydropower Project following the resolution of legal issues surrounding the project.

The Forum acknowledged the interventions of the North-East Development Commission, NEDC, and called for increased investment in education, including the release of outstanding scholarship awards for indigent students.

It also urged greater efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children and provide coordinated support for Tsangaya education.

To reduce transportation costs and improve logistics, the governors resolved to partner with Green Ville Energy to establish more Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas stations across the region.

The Forum also welcomed Federal Government support through the NEDC for the provision of 10,000 electric tricycles, 10 electric buses and 300 electric taxis, which are expected to be launched in October.

It further resolved to establish a North-East regional air shuttle to facilitate faster movement of people and goods within and across the region.

On security, the governors acknowledged the progress recorded in the fight against insurgency and commended the Armed Forces, other security agencies and the people of the region for their courage, sacrifice and resilience.

The Forum also said it would continue to address socio-economic conditions that could expose young people to exploitation by criminal and extremist elements.

On youth development, the governors noted that the North-East has one of the youngest populations in Nigeria and pledged to expand opportunities in education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, technology and employment.

They said the objective was to equip young people with the skills and opportunities needed to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the development of the region.

The Forum’s next meeting is scheduled for December 18 and 19, 2026, in Gombe, Gombe State.