Southern governors to establish security fund, boost intelligence sharing

The Southern Governors’ Forum has resolved to establish a zonal security fund, with member states contributing to a dedicated pool to support regional security operations and enhance capacity building across the geopolitical zones.

The governors also agreed to institutionalise a monthly zonal security coordination meeting involving security advisers within the region.

These resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of a joint meeting between the Southern Governors’ Forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council, held in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, and read by the Forum Chairman and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

To strengthen intelligence communication infrastructure, the governors approved an intelligence-sharing framework backed by modern communication technologies, real-time surveillance systems, and interoperable equipment that will enable coordinated responses across state lines.

Reaffirming their longstanding position on the need to decentralise policing, the governors reiterated their call for the creation of state police as a constitutional imperative, noting the successes already recorded by community-based and regional security initiatives.

The governors further encouraged states to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement a unified resident identification system in the region.

The Forum also resolved to enhance the operations of regional and local security outfits, including hunters’ associations and community surveillance units, through improved equipment, logistics, and operational support.

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In strengthening security governance, the southern governors urged states to work closely with traditional rulers in regulating land allocation to curb indiscriminate practices that could heighten security threats.

The governors also resolved to tackle illegal mining activities — described as a major source of ecological and security challenges — by partnering with environmental agencies and traditional institutions.

To deepen grassroots participation, the southern governors encouraged states to provide direct financial and operational support to traditional councils to enable them to play a more effective role in security and peacebuilding.

They pledged to continue speaking with one voice, promoting the collective interests of the South, and collaborating with the federal government to ensure peace, prosperity, and progress for all Nigerians.

The Forum also reiterated its commitment to national unity, stronger regional cooperation, and the deepening of an inclusive, secure, and equitable federation, just as the governors commended President Bola Tinubu for recent successful rescue operations of kidnapped victims in parts of the country.

In a show of unity with traditional rulers, the Forum passed a vote of confidence in Tinubu, commending his leadership and commitment to national stability and reforms.

The Star