By Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
The North-East Governors Forum (NEGF) has resolved to establish a regional air shuttle as part of measures to improve connectivity, ease movement and reposition the subregion for greater economic integration and development.
The decision was reached on Saturday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, at the end of the 13th regular meeting of the forum, where the governors also renewed their commitment to speaking with one voice and pursuing a common development agenda for the six-state region.
The proposed North-East air shuttle is expected to complement ongoing efforts to improve transportation infrastructure across the region, while strengthening links among the states and opening up opportunities for trade, investment, tourism and other economic activities.
The governors also agreed to partner with Green Ville Energy to expand the availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) stations across the region as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs and strengthen logistics.
The meeting, chaired by the Chairman of the NEGF and Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, brought together governors and representatives from across the subregion to deliberate on issues relating to security, infrastructure, energy, transportation, education, youth development, environmental protection and economic integration.
In attendance were Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya; Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau, who represented Governor Bala Mohammed; and Yobe State Deputy Governor, Idi Barde Gubana, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Taraba State was not represented at the meeting, as neither the governor nor his deputy attended. Borno State Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, was also present.
Presenting the communiqué at the end of the deliberations, Governor Fintiri said the forum continued to appreciate the cooperation and collaboration among member states since its inaugural meeting in Gombe in March 2020.
He said the forum remained a work in progress but had recorded significant achievements in its six years of existence, particularly in fostering unity among the member states and promoting projects capable of transforming the subregion.
According to the communiqué, the governors noted that the unity of the forum had enabled it to deliver tangible results in infrastructure development across the North-East.
The forum also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for renewed attention to major infrastructure projects, including the Port Harcourt–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Maiduguri rail corridor, frontier oil exploration at Kolmani and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri highway.
However, the governors urged the Federal Government to revive oil exploration activities that were earlier commenced but subsequently stalled in Magumeri and Gubio Local Government Areas of Borno State.
On electricity, the governors said member states had made concerted efforts to improve power supply and had successfully transformed energy from an individual state concern into a regional development agenda.
The forum noted that the Dadinkowa Hydropower Plant was now feeding the national grid and encouraged member states to take advantage of the new electricity law and the region’s abundant sunshine to expand access to electricity through solar power and mini-grid solutions.
The governors also renewed their call for urgent action on the Mambila Hydropower Project, urging the Federal Government to take advantage of the recent resolution of the legal encumbrance following the arbitration ruling and accelerate the completion and commencement of the project.
The forum commended the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its interventions across the region but called for increased investment in education.
It specifically appealed for the release of long-awaited scholarship awards to indigent students from the subregion and urged greater resources for efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, as well as coordinated support for Tsangaya education.
The governors further welcomed the Federal Government’s support, through the NEDC, for the provision of 10,000 electric tricycles, 10 electric buses and 300 electric taxis, which are scheduled for launch in October.
According to the forum, the initiative would help reduce the burden of transportation on residents while promoting cleaner and more affordable mobility across the region.
On security, the governors acknowledged the progress recorded in the fight against insurgency in the North-East and commended the courage and sacrifices of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, as well as the resilience of residents and the commitment of governments at all levels.
They nevertheless expressed concern that the region continued to face serious humanitarian and infrastructural challenges.
The forum therefore reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies while pledging to strengthen inter-state cooperation, intelligence sharing, community engagement and coordinated responses to emerging security threats.
It also stressed the need to tackle the socio-economic conditions that could make young people vulnerable to recruitment and exploitation by criminal and extremist groups.
On youth development, the governors described the North-East’s youthful population as both a major opportunity and a responsibility.
They pledged to prioritise quality education, vocational and entrepreneurial training, technology and meaningful employment opportunities to enable young people to build dignified livelihoods and contribute to the region’s development.
The forum also raised concerns over the environmental damage caused by deforestation and agreed to partner with the Institute of Forest Research to train forest experts who would support environmental protection and sustainable forest management across the region.
The governors unanimously recommitted to speaking with one voice and acting with one purpose on issues of common concern, particularly those relating to security, economic integration, social development and infrastructure.
The next meeting of the North-East Governors Forum is scheduled to hold on December 18 and 19, 2026, in Gombe, Gombe State.
