The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has identified poverty, youth unemployment, and the high number of out-of-school children as major factors fueling insecurity across Northern Nigeria.
Yahaya made the remarks on Monday during a meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council held in Dutse, Jigawa State. He noted that the region’s security challenges are deeply connected to years of economic hardship, poor educational outcomes, and underdevelopment.
According to the governor, about 86 million people in Northern Nigeria, representing 65 percent of the region’s population, are currently living in multidimensional poverty. He further disclosed that nearly 80 percent of Nigeria’s estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children are from the North.
He warned that the growing population of unemployed and uneducated youths poses a serious threat to the region’s future, as many are vulnerable to recruitment by bandits, terrorists, and other criminal groups.
“In a country where 60 percent of the population is below 35 years of age, a hungry, unemployed, and uneducated youth population becomes an easy target for recruitment by bandits and Boko Haram,” Yahaya said.
The governor stressed that security operations alone cannot effectively address the problem, urging governments and stakeholders to focus on tackling the underlying causes of insecurity.
He called for increased investment in education, agriculture, vocational training, and youth empowerment programmes to create opportunities for young people and reduce their vulnerability to criminal influences.
Yahaya also appealed to leaders across the region to prioritize human capital development by returning children to school, revitalizing agricultural activities, and equipping youths with practical skills needed for economic productivity.
He commended traditional rulers for their continued efforts in promoting peace and development, urging them to sustain initiatives that foster unity and stability within their communities.
While emphasizing the need for security agencies to remain committed to combating criminal elements, the governor maintained that lasting peace can only be achieved through deliberate efforts to reduce poverty, expand access to education, and create employment opportunities.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers and government officials from across Northern Nigeria to discuss strategies for enhancing peace, unity, and sustainable development in the region.
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