Governors from the North-West geopolitical zone have committed to advancing a shared regional agenda for peace, resilience, and economic opportunity on the margins of the 2026 UN General Assembly’s 81st session.

The United Nations Development Programme stated in a statement on Tuesday that the governors met at a special event in New York convened by the Northwest Governors’ Forum in partnership with the UNDP.

The governors called for stronger international partnerships, development finance and responsible investment to translate the North-West Peace, Security and Development Framework (2026–2030) into action.

The high-level event brought together governors, UN officials led by deputy secretary-general Amina Mohammed, development partners, international financial institutions, private-sector leaders, philanthropies and members of the diplomatic community.

Speakers and participants concurred on a common proposition: lasting peace requires investment in the conditions that allow people, communities and economies to thrive.

The governors’ commitment marks a shift from fragmented responses to a coordinated regional approach. The seven states (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara) are aligning around one framework to address insecurity and vulnerability while expanding livelihoods, jobs, essential services and economic opportunity.

Home to more than 60 million people, the North-West is central to Nigeria’s food systems, domestic commerce and regional trade. Its economic assets include agriculture, livestock, industry, solid minerals, renewable energy, digital innovation and major commercial corridors connecting communities and markets within Nigeria and across neighbouring countries.

Yet the region also faces interconnected pressures, including insecurity, climate shocks, poverty, unemployment, displacement, limited access to essential services and growing pressure on livelihoods and public institutions.

These challenges do not stop at state boundaries, and the governors are positioning regional cooperation, rather than isolated state-by-state interventions, as a foundation for a more effective response.

Adopted by the seven governors in March 2026, the framework provides a common strategic roadmap for addressing the underlying drivers of fragility while strengthening the foundations for inclusive and resilient growth.

Developed with technical support from UNDP Nigeria and funding from Germany through the Northwest Prevention Facility Project, the Framework brings peace, security and development into a single regional agenda.

(NAN)