Nigeria Governors Meet in Abuja Amid Security Concerns

Governors from Nigeria’s 36 states met in Abuja on Wednesday as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum held discussions amid growing security concerns.

The meeting brought together several governors and deputy governors and was chaired by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Those in attendance included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Deputy governors from Katsina, Yobe, Niger and Oyo states also attended the meeting on behalf of their principals.

The governors had not made the agenda public at the time of filing the report. However, the country’s worsening security situation is expected to feature prominently in the discussions, given the continued threats from kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

The meeting comes as concerns grow over the ability of authorities to contain insecurity across several parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Nigerian journalist Rufai Oseni has argued that Nigeria is not yet prepared to end the security challenges facing the country.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Wednesday, Oseni said the continued violence was not simply the result of a lack of resources.

He alleged that persistent insecurity was linked to deep-rooted complicity involving elements within the government and the country’s elite.

Oseni referred to the recent attack in Woro, Kwara State, where bandits killed residents despite locals having alerted security authorities about an impending threat.

He also questioned how the attackers allegedly knew that residents had contacted security operatives before the incident.

His comments have added to the wider debate about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security response and the factors allowing banditry and kidnapping to persist.

The governors’ meeting therefore comes at a significant time, with state governments facing continued pressure to work with federal security agencies to protect residents and improve security across the federation.

Can stronger cooperation between the federal and state governments help Nigeria make meaningful progress against insecurity?