Governors of the North-East subregion have sounded the alarm over an impending humanitarian and economic crisis, warning of devastating floods and a looming food shortage that could worsen the plight of millions already burdened by insecurity and poverty.
Gathered under the North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF)—comprising Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe States—the leaders issued the warning at their 12th meeting held on Saturday in Jalingo, Taraba State.
In a communiqué signed by Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, the governors called for urgent intervention to mitigate the impact of predicted floods on lives, farmlands, and critical infrastructure, particularly bridges already battered by previous disasters.
> “The Forum took cognizance of credible forecasts on climate risks and the impending flood disaster in the subregion. It therefore calls for proactive measures, including robust sensitisation of settlers along flood plains. It also urges both the Federal Government and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to immediately reconstruct broken infrastructure, especially bridges,” the communiqué stated.
The governors further expressed deep concern over the soaring cost of agricultural inputs, warning that if urgent action is not taken, farm production will decline drastically, leading to a food crisis across the region.
They demanded increased subsidies for farmers and a strong preparation framework for dry-season farming, stressing that food insecurity could aggravate the already fragile humanitarian situation in the North-East.
> “Forum decries the high cost of agricultural inputs, which might have direct negative consequences on farm outputs next year. To avert impending food crises ahead, it calls for more subsidies to farmers and robust preparation for dry-season farming,” the statement read.
While acknowledging gains made in the fight against insurgency, the governors lamented that the subregion remains weighed down by humanitarian emergencies, infrastructural decay, and economic underdevelopment.
They restated that the security challenges can only be solved through a multidimensional approach—anchored on education, healthcare, infrastructural development, job creation, vocational training, and poverty reduction initiatives.
The governors commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support in combating insurgency but urged the Federal Government to tackle root causes such as youth restiveness, unemployment, poor road networks, and inadequate social programmes.
Trade, Energy, and Regional Integration
To boost economic recovery, the forum announced that the North-East Trade Fair will hold in Maiduguri, Borno State, in December 2025.
In addition, they reaffirmed their resolve to tackle energy poverty in the region, charging the committee on power and energy to fast-track an integrated subregional masterplan, with solar power as a key focus for sustainable growth.
The governors also recommitted themselves to strengthening cooperation among member states in pursuit of common security, social, and economic goals, declaring that only unity of purpose can lift the subregion out of its decades-long challenges.
The forum’s next meeting is scheduled to hold in Maiduguri from December 12 to 14, 2025.
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