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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nigeria’s governors under the umbrella of Nigeria Governors Forum have pledged robust support for federal tax reforms, a revamped 12-year basic education system, and proactive steps toward state policing, as outlined in a communiqué issued at the end of their first meeting of 2026.
Held on Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday, the session chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, featured briefings from top federal ministers and approvals for new initiatives to bolster subnational governance amid economic and security challenges.
In the communique read by Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu,
the Forum congratulated Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, on his appointment and who gave a detailed update on fiscal trends. This included Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue patterns, ongoing tax reforms, and efforts to widen the taxpayer base while easing burdens on basic consumption.
“Governors underscored the imperative of restoring confidence in fiscal management systems and called for the timely resolution of outstanding fiscal matters, which remain critical to subnational planning and budgetary stability,” the communiqué stated. The governors committed to partnering with Oyedele to advance these goals for all Nigerians.
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Education took center stage with a presentation from Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, who outlined priorities like transitioning to a 12-year continuous basic education framework, advancing the Digital National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), and scaling up junior and senior secondary school infrastructure to match rising enrolment.
Governors reaffirmed their dedication to collaborating with the federal government “to expand access to quality education and ensure that resources reach the communities that need them most”, the communique added.
The Forum also okayed the NGF Academy and Leadership Centre as a new Directorate within its Secretariat. Billed as a “flagship platform for subnational leadership development,” it will offer executive training, applied research, governance advisory, and peer learning for all 36 states. Progress toward its launch was welcomed as a key tool for federation-wide governance improvements.
Agricultural advancements were noted through the NGF States Agribusiness Investment Programme (SAIP) – Rice Helpdesk, backed by the Gates Foundation. The initiative targets rice production and value chain enhancements by tackling institutional, market, and financing hurdles, with governors vowing state-level implementation for better food security.
Finally, the Secretariat’s State Police Framework was highlighted in preparation for potential constitutional changes. It details governance structures, financing, human capital, digital systems, and oversight—positioning states for decentralized security if approved.
