The Northwest Governors’ Forum has declared unity to address pressing social challenges, including the out-of-school children crisis and poverty reduction across the region.
In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammad, the meeting was held in Abuja today had UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed joined Northwest governors to strengthen collaboration on social protection, education, and economic development initiatives.
The forum, chaired by Katsina State Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, saw governors commit to implementing quick and high-impact interventions across social protection, education, food security, and climate adaptation programs.
“We have unanimously agreed to work together on economic development, agricultural advancement, addressing the challenge of out-of-school children, poverty alleviation, and youth employment,” Governor Radda said during a press briefing after the meeting.
The governors also discussed agricultural development initiatives with the African Development Bank, including the Nigeria Agricultural Growth Scheme 2.0 (NAG 2.0) and the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) program. The second phase of SAPZ will expand to include all five Northwest states, building on the success of the first phase in Kaduna and Kano.
To ensure effective implementation of these initiatives, the Forum appointed Ms. Maryam Musa Yahaya as its pioneer Director General. Yahaya brings extensive experience in international development partnerships from her previous role at the Nigeria Governors Forum Secretariat.
The meeting was attended by Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State. UN Resident Coordinator Malick Fall was also present to discuss ongoing UN programs in the region.
The Forum also explored opportunities with the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to benefit regional citizens and discussed renewable energy initiatives, particularly solar and CNG projects, for sustainable economic growth.
Governor Radda concluded by expressing the Forum’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic prosperity initiatives, emphasizing the governors’ commitment to regional development and poverty reduction.
