The Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) have jointly unveiled new regional measures aimed at preventing terrorists from establishing a foothold in the South. The leaders met yesterday at the Governor’s Residence in Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, where they agreed to set up a zonal security fund dedicated to strengthening security operations and building capacity across the region.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the 17 governors from the South-West, South-East, and South-South announced the institutionalisation of a monthly zonal security coordination meeting involving state security advisers. The Southern traditional rulers, who participated in the session, also deliberated on governance, development cooperation, and institutional partnerships as part of the broader agenda for regional stability.
Reaffirming their commitment to the unity of Nigeria and a more inclusive and secure federation, the governors encouraged all member states to formally integrate traditional rulers into their state security councils. They noted that traditional institutions remain closest to the grassroots and possess critical intelligence-gathering capabilities indispensable for effective security management.
The communiqué stated: “Following a thorough review of the security landscape, the Forum resolved as follows: Member states of each geopolitical zone will contribute to a dedicated fund to support zonal security operations and capacity building. A monthly zonal security coordination meeting of security advisers will be institutionalised.”
The Forum also approved an intelligence-sharing framework supported by modern communication tools and surveillance systems for real-time monitoring and coordinated responses. It added: “To this end, the Forum resolved that each member state in each zone (that is SW, SE & SS) shall jointly invest in equipment that will allow effective communication across state lines.”
Reiterating its long-standing demand for state police, the Forum emphasized that the effectiveness of community and regional security outfits demonstrates the urgent need for decentralised policing. According to the communiqué: “The Forum reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of state police as a constitutional imperative. It emphasised that the success of community-based and regional security outfits underscores the urgent need for decentralised policing.”
Southern Governors Strengthen Traditional Institutions and Back Tinubu’s Leadership
The leaders further urged member states to work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in implementing a unified resident identification system. They also resolved to enhance local and regional security outfits—including hunter associations and community surveillance units—through improved logistics, equipment, and operational support.
Additionally, the meeting advised states to collaborate with traditional rulers in regulating land allocation to avoid practices that could escalate security threats. The Forum committed to tackling illegal mining, which has caused serious ecological damage, by partnering with environmental authorities and traditional councils to strengthen oversight.
On strengthening traditional institutions, the governors encouraged member states to provide direct financial and operational support to traditional councils to enable them to play more robust roles in peacebuilding, governance, and security coordination.
In a demonstration of unity, the Forum passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, acknowledging what it described as his commitment to national stability and reforms. It recalled the May 2021 Asaba Accord, reaffirming support for a Southern presidency and backing Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The Southern leaders dismissed attempts to sow division within the region, assuring citizens that Southern Nigeria remains united and dedicated to peaceful coexistence across religious and cultural lines. They pledged to continue speaking with one voice and working with the federal government to promote peace and prosperity for all Nigerians.
The Forum extended condolences to President Tinubu over the death of military personnel in Borno State and the recent mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States, while noting the rescue missions that followed. The communiqué read: “The joint meeting expressed deep appreciation to Mr. President for his bold and visionary leadership in restoring macroeconomic stability, noting especially the gains in foreign exchange stabilisation, sustained reduction in inflation for the seventh consecutive month, and the easing of food prices.”
It continued: “Furthermore, the Forum praised the administration’s transformative infrastructure agenda, citing landmark projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway amongst others.” The governors also commended efforts to strengthen national security institutions, including the rehabilitation of Police and NSCDC training colleges, and welcomed the Renewed Hope Ward Initiative, which is expected to benefit over five million people across Southern Nigeria.
The joint session reaffirmed the strategic role of traditional institutions in governance, cultural integration, and security. Both the SGF and SNTRC pledged continued support for the federal government’s security architecture, restating their commitment to working with law enforcement agencies and traditional institutions for intelligence gathering, early warning, monitoring, and deterrence of criminal activity.
Security chiefs from the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were also in attendance. They delivered briefings on the state of security across the region, focusing on manpower gaps, equipment shortages, intelligence coordination, and improving federal-state collaboration.
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