Federal Republic of Nigeria · 19 Northern States
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Northern Nigerian Governors' Forum Unity · Peace · Progress
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Horsemen at the Sallah Durbar in Kano
Zuma Rock, near Madalla
Shere Hills, Jos
Wikki Warm Springs, Yankari National Park
Sultan's Palace, Sokoto, during a durbar
Horsemen at the gate of the Emir of Zazzau's palace, Zaria
Aerial view of the Sukur Cultural Landscape, Madagali
Mountain ranges of the Mambilla Plateau, Mai Samari axis

Northern Nigerian Governors' Forum

Nineteen states. One shared future.

The Forum brings together the governors of Nigeria's nineteen northern states to coordinate on security, economic growth, human capital and regional infrastructure for more than 119M people.

Explore the 19 States Meet the Governors
Portrait of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya Chairman of the Forum Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya Executive Governor, Gombe State
19Member states
119.2MEstimated population
726Kkm²Land area
79%Of Nigeria's landmass
413Local governments

About the Forum

A common platform for the North's development agenda

The Northern Nigerian Governors' Forum traces its roots to the break-up of the old Northern Region in 1967. In 1968 the governors of the six northern states that replaced the region formed the Interim Common Services Agency (ICSA), which inherited the staff, assets and liabilities of the Northern Region, including jointly owned institutions such as the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), Arewa Hotels, New Nigerian Newspapers, the Broadcasting Corporation of Northern Nigeria and Ahmadu Bello University. Joint…

Learn about the Forum

Peace & Security

Coordinated responses to banditry, insurgency and communal conflict across state lines.

Agriculture & Food

Leveraging the North's vast arable land to drive food security and agro-industrial growth.

Human Capital

Raising school enrolment, primary healthcare and skills for a young population.

Infrastructure & Investment

Regional power, rail, road and solid-minerals projects that unlock private capital.

Map of Nigeria highlighting the 19 northern statesCross RiverFCTOgunOyoLagosAkwa IbomBayelsaOndoDeltaRiversEdoAnambraImoAbiaEkitiOsunEnuguEbonyiFCTSokotoZamfaraKwaraKogiBenueBornoKatsinaPlateauJigawaKanoNasarawaKebbiGombeAdamawaYobeBauchiNigerKadunaTaraba
  • North-West
  • North-East
  • North-Central

The Region

Three geopolitical zones, nineteen states

Select any state on the map to open its full profile — leadership, history, economy, natural resources and investment opportunities.

North-West · 7 states

North-East · 6 states

North-Central · 6 states

Members of the Forum

The Governors

The nineteen executive governors who constitute the Forum, each elected to lead a northern state.

All governors

State Profiles

Discover the North

Ancient emirates and walled cities, highland plateaus, wildlife reserves and some of Africa's richest agricultural and mineral belts.

View all 19 states
Portrait of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya

Leadership

Chairman of the Forum

His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya

Executive Governor of Gombe State · APC

Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya (born 9 October 1961) is a Nigerian accountant, businessman and politician who has served as Governor of Gombe State since 29 May 2019. Born in Jekadafari, Gombe, he studied accounting at Ahmadu Bello University and is a member of several professional bodies including ANAN and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

Read full profile Forum leadership

Newsroom

Latest from the Forum

All news & communiqués

Partner with the North

Investors, development partners and citizens — engage the Forum

Explore sector opportunities across the nineteen states, submit an investment proposal to the Secretariat, or share feedback on regional priorities.

Investment opportunities Contact the Secretariat