Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Monday urged governors of the 11 northern states to adopt a common front in tackling security and economic challenges facing the region.
Lawal made the call while chairing the opening session of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The summit, convened by the Northern Elders Forum under Professor Ango Abdullahi, brought together stakeholders to explore opportunities in mining, agriculture, and power.
Speaking at the event, Lawal said northern states must move beyond rhetoric and embrace collaboration to attract investment and drive industrialisation.
He noted that insecurity remained the biggest obstacle to development in the region, urging governors to integrate security structures, share intelligence, and strengthen community policing.
“A safe North is a bankable North,” the governor said, stressing that investors would not commit resources in an unsafe environment.
Lawal further proposed the creation of a “Northern Nigerian Economic Compact” to enable the 19 states to coordinate efforts, present a unified front to investors, and co-invest in infrastructure such as power, rail, and fibre optics.
Northern states must unite to end insecurity, boost economy – Gov Lawal