Governors under the banner of the North East Governors Forum have reaffirmed their collective commitment to regional development, socio economic integration, and enhanced security across all six subregional states. The communique, signed by Forum Chairman and Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, highlighted significant milestones achieved since the coalition was founded in Gombe in March 2020.
The high level meeting was attended by the leadership of Borno, Adamawa, and Gombe states, while Bauchi and Yobe states sent deputy governors to ensure full administrative representation. The strategic session focused on aligning security protocols, accelerating infrastructural master plans, and establishing self sustaining economic structures across state lines.
Expressing gratitude to the federal government for prioritizing vital infrastructure, the forum praised ongoing efforts on the Port Harcourt Jos Bauchi Gombe Maiduguri rail corridor, the Kolmani frontier oil exploration, and key interstate highways. However, the leaders explicitly requested the prompt resumption of stalled oil exploration initiatives within Borno State, specifically calling for active work in Magumeri and Gubio local government areas.
Addressing the subregion’s power deficits, the governors celebrated the integration of the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant into the national grid while urging state administrations to leverage new national power legislations. The forum encouraged aggressive adoption of solar mini grid installations, citing the abundant sunshine across the region, while demanding accelerated federal movement on the Mambila Hydropower Project following recent legal resolutions.
The forum commended ongoing humanitarian and infrastructural interventions by the North East Development Commission, while calling for expanded investments in education and the immediate release of outstanding scholarship awards. The leaders placed special priority on combating the out of school children challenge through targeted, modernized support for Tsangaya education centers across member states.
To tackle rising logistical costs and transport tariffs, the regional body announced a partnership with Green Ville Energy to establish a comprehensive Compressed Natural Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas network. This operational shift will coincide with the launch of thousands of electric tricycles, taxis, and buses provided through federal support via the regional development commission.
Further boosting connectivity, the governors finalized plans to establish a dedicated regional air shuttle designed to streamline movement for trade, development personnel, and emergency operations. Regional leaders noted that seamless intra regional mobility remains critical to building economic resilience against external economic shocks.
On regional safety, the governors praised the operational successes achieved by security agencies and local vigilante groups while commending the populace for their unwavering resilience against extremist threats. The leadership pledged to expand youth empowerment programs across vocational, technical, and digital industries to prevent vulnerable populations from being exploited by criminal syndicates.
The North East Governors Forum concluded its session by confirming that its next executive council meeting will convene in Gombe on December 18 and 19, 2026, to evaluate implementation progress.
By: Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed
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