The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has challenged northern leaders to move beyond discussions and begin taking concrete action to address the region’s worsening security and socio-economic challenges.
Speaking at a joint meeting of Northern governors and traditional rulers, Yahaya said the North can no longer afford “empty meetings” that produce little change while insecurity, poverty, and illiteracy continue to threaten the region’s future. He stressed that leaders must focus on practical solutions rather than rhetoric.
The governor expressed concern over persistent kidnappings, banditry, and terrorist attacks across several northern states, noting that the crisis has evolved into an existential threat to the region. He warned that attacks on schools, farms, and communities are undermining development and creating widespread fear among residents.
Yahaya also highlighted the growing number of out-of-school children in the North, describing the situation as a major developmental challenge. According to him, leaders must invest heavily in education, skills acquisition, and economic opportunities for young people to address the root causes of insecurity and social unrest.
“We must move beyond rhetoric,” the governor said, urging northern leaders to ensure that every child has access to education and that young people are equipped for productive futures.
The NSGF chairman reiterated support for the creation of state police, arguing that local policing would strengthen security efforts and help states respond more effectively to emerging threats. He welcomed ongoing discussions on constitutional reforms aimed at enabling state policing in Nigeria.
Yahaya called on governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and citizens to work together to restore peace and stability across the region. He emphasized that future generations would judge today’s leaders not by political achievements but by their ability to secure lives, create opportunities, and build a more prosperous North.
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