) The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has called for urgent measures to restore confidence in the nation’s fiscal management systems.
The NGF made the call in a communiqué issued after its 2026 first meeting on Thursday in Abuja, signed by its Chairman, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kawara.
The governors also called for the timely resolution of outstanding fiscal matters to boost development at the subnational level.
Gov. Babjide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, reading the communiqué, said that the governors deliberated on issues affecting the country including economy reforms, education, security and food security among others.
The forum said that the governors received a comprehensive briefing from the new Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, on current fiscal developments in the country.
According to the NGF, the briefing covers trends in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenues, ongoing tax reforms, and the broader effort to strengthen revenue mobilisation across all tiers of government.
”Governors underscored the imperative of restoring confidence in fiscal management systems and called for the timely resolution of outstanding fiscal matter which remain critical to subnational planning and budgetary stability.
”The forum also discussed reforms to broaden the taxpayer base, improve compliance, and ease the burden on basic consumption.
”Governors reaffirmed their commitment to working in close partnership with the minister to advance shared fiscal objectives in the interest of all Nigerians.’’
The governors also said that as part of proactive measures to enhance security in the country, the forum secretariat had developed a ”State Police Framework” in anticipation of proposed constitutional amendments.
The framework according to the NGF outlines key readiness requirements, including governance structures, financing models, human capital standards, digital systems, and oversight mechanisms.
The governors said that they also received a presentation from the Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa, on the priorities shaping the Federal Government’s education agenda.
They listed key areas discussed to include the proposed transition to a 12-year continuous basic education framework, and the progress recorded on the Digital National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) platform.
They emphasised the urgent need to expand junior and senior secondary school infrastructure to keep pace with growing enrolment.
They reaffirmed their collective commitment to working in close partnership with the Federal Government to expand access to quality education and ensuring that resources reach the communities that needed them most.
The NGF added that it approved the establishment of the NGF Academy and Leadership Centre as a new Directorate within the Secretariat, designed as a flagship platform for subnational leadership development.
”The Academy will integrate executive capacity building, applied research, governance advisory, and peer learning to support all 36 states,” the NGF said.
The governors welcomed progress towards its operationalisation and reaffirmed their support for the initiative as a strategic resource for strengthening governance across the federation.
They also noted progress on the States Agribusiness Investment Programme (SAIP) – Rice Helpdesk, supported by the Gates Foundation, aimed at strengthening state capacity to drive improvements in rice production and value chain development.
The forum said that the governors acknowledged the importance of addressing sector-wide institutional, market and financing constraints.
The forum also reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to supporting implementation at the state level to deliver measurable outcomes in food security and agricultural productivity.
Similarly, the acting President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Iliyasu Zakari, speaking to newsmen after the delegation’s meeting with the NGF, described the meeting as a successful and fulfilling first step toward stabilising ALGON for grassroots development.
Zakari said that the meeting was imperative following the recent court judgment which validated the ALGON Board of Trustees, the board which subsequently appointed and inaugurated him as acting president of the association.
”The first place of call should be the NGF. We are local government, and they are our parents. Ordinarily, after inauguration, the first line of action should be to meet with them, and the outcome has been very fulfilling,” he said.
Addressing concerns regarding the challenges facing local government in the country including the struggle for financial autonomy, Zakari described it as a work in progress.
”I am sure all local government councils have opened an account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, so it is a work in progress,” he said.
