Poor Roads Driving Insecurity in North-East, Say Governors

The North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) has identified the region’s inadequate road infrastructure as a major contributor to insecurity, economic stagnation, and underdevelopment across the subregion.

This was disclosed in a nine-point communique signed by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, who serves as the Forum's chairman, at the close of its 11th meeting held in Damaturu, Yobe State.

The governors urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the resumption and completion of abandoned infrastructure projects, emphasizing that doing so is essential to addressing deep-rooted poverty, insecurity, and chronic underdevelopment in the North-East.

“Forum notes that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education, and reducing poverty,” the statement read.

The Forum committed to a renewed push for:

• Opening the region to investment and trade

• Promoting agriculture for food security

• Tackling climate change

• Expanding technical and vocational education

• Driving industrialization to create jobs and reduce youth recruitment into extremist groups

The governors emphasized the need for a unified approach to solving social, economic, and security challenges. They noted that development cannot occur in silos and pledged to work collectively toward subregional integration and prosperity.

“The Forum is committed to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes,” it added.

Looking ahead, the Forum announced that its 12th meeting will be held in Jalingo, Taraba State, from July 27 to 29, 2025, where further discussions on regional security and development are expected to continue.

The North-East Governors’ stance sends a clear message: infrastructure and inclusive development are not optional—they are foundational to peace and prosperity in a region that has endured over a decade of instability.