Northern Governors Appoint Agwai, Yayale Ahmed to Lead Security Trust Fund Board
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has appointed former Chief of Defence Staff, 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 Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund Board.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna, marking a significant step in the region’s collective response to growing security challenges across Northern Nigeria.
The newly inaugurated board comprises retired military officers, former police chiefs and other eminent personalities drawn from the 19 northern states. It is expected to provide strategic oversight for mobilising resources, strengthening intelligence sharing and coordinating efforts to combat banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
Among the board members are former Chief of Army Staff Faruk Yahaya, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, Senator Napoleon Bali, former Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Inuwa, Air Vice Marshal Kabiru Aliyu, Professor Usman Tar, Major General A.M. Dikko, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Sunday Babaji, Air Vice Marshal Farouk Omeiza Umar, Major General Muhammad Sani, Major General Bello Sarkin Yaki, Major General John Malu, Brigadier General Ibrahim Agbab and other retired security experts.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Uba Sani, said the Security Trust Fund is designed to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and existing security agencies rather than replace them.
He stressed that the initiative must remain focused, responsive and credible, adding that its success would be measured by its ability to protect lives and restore security across the region rather than by the number of meetings it holds.
As part of the initiative, the governors resolved that each of the 19 northern states, alongside their local government councils, would contribute ₦1 billion monthly for 12 months to finance the trust fund.
The initiative also received the endorsement of traditional rulers led by the Sa’ad Abubakar III, who described the fund as a long-overdue and practical approach to tackling the region’s persistent security challenges.
