Nigeria’s North-west is looking beyond security operations, with the region’s governors seeking fresh international funding and private investment to tackle insecurity while driving jobs and development.
The North-west Peace, Security and Development Framework 2026–2030 was presented to development partners, financial institutions and investors in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Adopted in March by Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, the framework provides a common regional approach to security, resilience and economic development.
The plan prioritises areas including climate-smart agriculture and livestock, renewable energy, trade infrastructure, digital innovation, human capital and social services. It is designed to combine government resources, development finance, official assistance and responsible private investment to create projects capable of attracting additional capital.
Katsina Governor and Chairman of the North-west Governors’ Forum, Dikko Radda, said individual states cannot adequately address the region’s challenges alone, stressing that security efforts must be matched with measures to tackle poverty, unemployment and displacement.
The region, home to more than 60 million people, is important to Nigeria’s food production, domestic commerce and regional trade but also faces insecurity, climate shocks and pressure on livelihoods. UNDP said it would support the states in strengthening coordination, developing investment-ready projects and connecting the region with development partners and financial institutions.
