North-west Governors Ask for Funds to Tackle Security and Boost Development

Governors from the North-west states of Nigeria are looking for international funds and private investment. They want this money to help carry out a regional plan. This plan aims to deal with insecurity, create jobs, and improve social services.

The Katsina State Government shared this information in a statement on Tuesday.

They mentioned that the North-west Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026, 2030 was presented to development groups and investors in New York. This happened during an event at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The seven states involved are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. They adopted the framework in March 2026.

The meeting in New York aimed to find partners and funding for the plan's execution. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) confirmed this.

UNDP said it helped develop the framework with support from the German government through the North-west Prevention Facility Project. The goal is to prepare projects that can attract public funding, development help, and private investment.

Key areas of focus include agriculture, livestock, renewable energy, trade infrastructure, technology, and social services.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, who leads the North-west Governors’ Forum, explained that individual states cannot solve the region’s security issues alone.

His spokesperson, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the governor emphasized that security actions need to be paired with efforts to combat poverty, unemployment, and displacement.

"Security must be accompanied by opportunity. Stabilisation must be accompanied by development. And public investment must create space for responsible private capital," Mr Radda stated.

He urged development organizations to coordinate their help across the seven states. He also called on financial institutions and businesses to invest in areas that lack services.

The governor added that the states must work better together, strengthen their institutions, and set up accountability measures for implementing the plan.

Maryam Yahaya, the forum’s Director-General, noted that the framework came from the first North-west Peace and Security Summit held in Katsina in 2024.

She mentioned that discussions continued in 2025 with various stakeholders, including governments, communities, civil society groups, traditional leaders, women, and youth before the governors approved the plan.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed called for coordinated funding. This would involve state governments, development groups, and private investors, according to the Katsina Government statement.

She pointed out that the North-west’s role in food production and trade means instability in the region affects more than just the seven states.

UNDP Associate Administrator Haoliang Xu said the agency would assist the states in coordinating the plan, strengthening institutions, and developing projects that can draw investment.

The request for funds comes as attacks have displaced many in the region.

In Katsina, the International Organisation for Migration reported 3,509 people forced out of their homes from 524 households. This displacement followed attacks on 6 and 8 August 2026.

The affected communities included Na’alma in Malumfashi Local Government Area, Turare in Dutsin-Ma, and Tsiga in Bakori. These figures came from key informants, based on the agency’s assessment.

The Katsina government statement noted that participants at the New York meeting included Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris, and Sokoto Deputy Governor Idris Mohammed Gobir. Other government officials, development institutions, and private sector representatives were also present.

The UNDP's account of the meeting did not mention a total funding target, how much each state would contribute, or any confirmed financial support from potential partners.