Northern Leaders Must Adopt New Strategy Against Insecurity — Gov Inuwa Yahaya

Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has called for a decisive shift in how Northern Nigeria confronts insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment, urging leaders across the region to move beyond declarations and begin implementing coordinated solutions.

The governor made the appeal during a meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in Dutse, Jigawa State, where political leaders, traditional institutions, security officials and representatives of the Federal Government gathered to discuss pathways toward restoring stability and accelerating development across Northern Nigeria.

The meeting focused on the theme: “Peace, Unity and Development of Northern Nigeria.”

Delivering his goodwill message, Governor Inuwa Yahaya warned that persistent insecurity across the region continues to threaten social stability and economic growth.

He identified banditry, insurgency, farmer-herder clashes and recurring communal conflicts as some of the most pressing security concerns confronting Northern Nigeria.

According to the governor, these challenges have weakened communities, disrupted livelihoods and slowed development efforts.

He stressed that sustainable development cannot be achieved without first securing lives and property.

“Without security, there can be no unity. Without security and unity, there can be no development,” he stated.

Governor Yahaya argued that insecurity in the region is not solely a security problem but also the result of years of socio-economic challenges.

Citing poverty, unemployment and limited access to quality education, he said millions of vulnerable young people have become susceptible to recruitment by criminal and extremist groups.

He noted that an estimated 86 million people across Northern Nigeria live in multidimensional poverty and observed that a significant portion of Nigeria’s out-of-school children are concentrated in the region.

To reverse the trend, the governor proposed broad reforms that extend beyond military responses.

His recommendations included the establishment of state policing structures, increased investment in education and vocational skills, expanded employment opportunities, agricultural revitalisation and stronger institutional support for security agencies.

He also challenged Northern leaders to abandon symbolic meetings that produce little measurable impact.

“Enough of meetings that do not produce results. Enough of communiqués that are not implemented. Enough of promises that are not followed by action,” he said.

During the gathering, Governor Yahaya expressed condolences to the government and people of Katsina State over the killing of retired Major-General Rabe Abubakar by bandits, describing the incident as another painful reminder that insecurity cuts across social status and affects every level of society.

Also speaking at the event, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, highlighted additional concerns facing the region, including youth unemployment, climate pressures, drug abuse, farmer-herder disputes and declining social values.

He acknowledged ongoing efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly through military operations, intelligence coordination and collaboration with state authorities.

Representing the President, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing both the immediate security threats and their underlying causes through interventions in education, agriculture, economic empowerment and social inclusion.

The Chairman of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, commended the participation of governors at the meeting and described collaboration between political and traditional leadership as essential to addressing regional challenges.

Northern Nigeria continues to face overlapping crises that extend beyond security concerns alone. Years of economic hardship, youth unemployment, educational gaps and displacement have combined to deepen instability in several communities.

Security analysts and policy advocates have increasingly argued that military action alone may not provide a lasting solution without parallel investments in human development and local governance.

Governor Yahaya’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment among regional leaders that stronger coordination and practical implementation of policies will be necessary to reverse current trends and rebuild public confidence.

The call for action also comes at a time when citizens across the region continue to demand visible outcomes rather than repeated policy declarations.

The meeting in Dutse ended with renewed appeals for stronger partnerships among governments, traditional institutions and security agencies.

While discussions centred on peace and development, the dominant message remained clear: Northern Nigeria’s challenges require more than meetings and resolutions—they require deliberate action, sustained investment and leadership that translates commitments into measurable change.

For many observers, the real test will not be the speeches delivered, but the actions that follow.