A public policy analyst, Tijjani Sarki, has commended the Northern Governors and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council for their renewed commitment to tackling insecurity but warned that key resolutions, particularly the creation of a Regional Security Trust Fund, require greater transparency and strategic planning.
In a commentary released on 2 December 2025, Sarki described the communiqué issued by the regional leaders as “a serious and unified response” to the escalating security crisis across Northern Nigeria.
He noted that the decisions show political will but stressed that implementation must be approached with caution.
Sarki expressed strong support for the push toward establishing state police, which he described as “overdue and essential for community-level intelligence and rapid response.”
He urged both the National Assembly and state legislatures to expedite the legislation required to bring the initiative to life.
However, he warned that the success of the State Police depends on ensuring it remains professional and insulated from political misuse. According to him, “The North cannot afford another institution captured for political battles instead of protecting lives.”
On the proposed Regional Security Trust Fund—which mandates all 19 Northern states to contribute ₦1 billion monthly—Sarki raised serious concerns about the absence of a detailed operational framework.
He noted that while the idea is bold, it currently lacks a clear strategic blueprint linking the funds to measurable security improvements.
He argued that without defined priorities, project catalogues, implementation plans, and independent oversight mechanisms, the fund risks becoming “another unmonitored pool of resources vulnerable to mismanagement.”
Sarki further observed that insecurity in the region cannot be separated from socioeconomic conditions, including unemployment, youth restlessness, poverty and limited economic opportunities.
He said any security strategy that ignores these underlying issues is “only treating symptoms rather than causes”.
He urged the governors to integrate development-focused interventions into their security plan and ensure the fund is transparent and aligned with the needs of vulnerable communities.
Concluding his analysis, Sarki said the North stands “at a crossroads”, and that the choices made by leaders now will determine whether the region overcomes insecurity or “sinks deeper into hardship”.
Sarki is a good governance advocate and public policy analyst. Can be reached via tijjanisarki.blogspot.com.
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