By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
Governors from Nigeria’s seven Northwest states have concluded plans for what may be the most consequential regional summit in a generation, aimed at confronting drug abuse, insecurity, and persistent development challenges plaguing the region.
This was revealed in a statement issued to journalists in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, following the latest meeting of the Northwest Governors Forum (NWGF) held at the Kaduna State Government House.
Our correspondent reports that the meeting, led by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Kaduna State, Senator (Dr) Uba Sani, resolved to convene a strategic summit in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the NWGF.
The summit, themed “Building a Resilient Northwest: Tackling Drug Abuse, Strengthening Security, and Advancing Development,” is scheduled to take place in Kaduna from Monday, June 23 to Friday, June 27, 2025.
It is expected to draw participants from state governments, federal agencies, traditional institutions, international development partners, and donor organizations.
The summit’s significance lies in its unprecedented focus on state-led efforts to reduce drug demand and implement coordinated interventions.
For the first time, governors from across the Northwest are aligning behind a common agenda to combat substance abuse—marking a significant shift in the region’s development outlook.
Officials from the Kaduna State Bureau of Substance Abuse and Prevention (KADBUSA) stressed that the summit is not a ceremonial event. “This isn’t just another political meet-and-greet,” they said. “It’s a high-level convergence designed to produce actionable outcomes.”
The first three days will feature a closed-door workshop bringing together state delegations, health professionals, law enforcement agencies, policymakers, and civil society groups to validate a comprehensive new framework for tackling drug abuse across the region.
The final two days will see the formal unveiling of this framework—an evidence-based model that combines public health solutions, security strategies, and investments in human capital.
Governors are also expected to hold a high-level closed-door session to adopt a regional communiqué and outline coordinated state-level action plans.
KADBUSA Director General, Mr. Joseph Ike, described the summit as “strategic, not symbolic.” He underlined the urgency of regional cooperation, stating, “If done right, this could be the closest the Northwest has ever come to sustained, unified political action outside of federal coercion.”
The Northwest has been severely impacted by rising substance abuse—especially opioids like tramadol and codeine—alongside a deepening security crisis that has driven displacement, hunger, and instability.
Yet, officials say the tide may be turning, as regional leaders move from rhetoric to evidence-based policymaking.
“Will it succeed?” the statement posed. “That depends on political will, community engagement, and a genuine commitment to change. But if the summit delivers a unified framework integrating security, rehabilitation, and youth empowerment, it may just be the turning point the Northwest has been waiting for.”
Organisers concluded by urging Nigerians—and the international community—to pay close attention to this historic initiative.
