Governors vow tighter synergy with DSS, back monetary reforms, women-seats bill

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has resolved to intensify collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) to confront emerging security threats across the country.

The decision followed intelligence alerts on alleged coup plots and planned assaults by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements in some states.

In a communiqué issued at the close of its fifth meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the forum said it reviewed key national questions around security coordination, economic stability and gender inclusion. The statement was signed by Kwara State Governor and NGF Chairman AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

DSS Director-General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi briefed the governors on ongoing intelligence-led operations targeting violent extremism, communal flashpoints and threats driven by economic distress and political transition.

“The forum expressed appreciation to the DSS for its proactive posture and pledged to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies towards strengthening peace and stability across states,” the communiqué read.

Also at the meeting, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, representing the apex bank governor, outlined the bank’s policy thrusts — including monetary tightening, exchange rate window unification and bank recapitalisation — aimed at taming inflation, improving liquidity management and consolidating macroeconomic stability.

The governors lauded the CBN’s coordination with fiscal authorities and pushed for sustained policy alignment to secure growth and guarantee subnational fiscal health.

The forum further noted that voting on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349) at the National Assembly has been slated for November 4-6. The bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create special female-only constituencies in federal and state legislatures as a transitional measure to boost gender representation.

Governors were urged to prevail on senators, House members and state assemblies to support passage of the bill as a statement of Nigeria’s commitment to equity and inclusive governance.