On October 4, 2026, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, stated that the Boko Haram insurgency has been weakened but not completely defeated. He made this remark during the 13th meeting of the Northern States Governors' Forum (NSGF) in Maiduguri. According to Yahaya, despite efforts to combat the insurgency, communities in the North-East continue to face attacks, and new security challenges such as banditry and communal conflicts have emerged.
Yahaya, who chairs the NSGF, noted that the North-East region is still grappling with significant development challenges. These challenges include stalled infrastructure projects, weak health systems, and poor learning outcomes. He cited major projects like the Mambilla hydropower plant, proposed regional rail lines, and broadband rollout, which have yet to be realized. The region must find lasting solutions to its power and humanitarian crises, Yahaya emphasized.
The NSGF Chairman pointed out that some progress has been made in road and power infrastructure, economic growth, human capital development, and security. However, he stressed that more needs to be done to address the region's complex problems. Yahaya recalled that the North-East Governors' Forum was established in Gombe in March 2020 to tackle issues like insecurity, cross-border criminality, infrastructure shortfalls, and humanitarian pressures, which individual states could not resolve alone.
The governor highlighted the potential of the Kolmani oil prospect, which holds promise for the region. He emphasized that its value must translate into increased production, jobs, and revenue for the local population. Yahaya also urged his colleagues to ensure that solid minerals in the region are mined through legal channels and used for the welfare of residents, rather than funding criminal networks.
Yahaya expressed concern about the high number of out-of-school children and poor health indicators in the North-East. He called on leaders to take decisive steps to reverse this trend. The Maiduguri meeting served as both a review session and a transition point, as the pioneer governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, and Yobe prepare to conclude their second and final tenure before the 2027 elections.
The meeting was seen as an opportunity for the governors to assess progress and strategize for the future. Yahaya's remarks underscored the need for sustained efforts to address the region's security and development challenges. The governors acknowledged the complexity of the issues facing the North-East and the need for a coordinated approach to resolve them.
As the North-East region continues to face security and development challenges, the governors are expected to work together to find lasting solutions. The region's progress in areas like infrastructure, economy, and human capital development must be sustained and expanded. The governors' commitment to addressing the region's challenges will be crucial in shaping its future and improving the lives of its residents.
Key points
- Boko Haram has been weakened but not completely defeated.
- The North-East region faces significant development challenges, including stalled infrastructure projects and weak health systems.
- The governors are committed to finding lasting solutions to the region's security and development challenges.
