The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has pledged to deepen intelligence sharing and coordination with the Department of State Services (DSS) to address security threats, violent extremism, and inter-communal tensions across the country.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its fifth meeting held in Abuja from Thursday night to early Friday, the Forum also urged governors to mobilise support for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing it as a crucial step toward gender equity and inclusive governance.

The renewed collaboration comes amid a wave of attacks by gunmen in parts of the country. Earlier in the week, the DSS warned of a planned assault by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) targeting Ondo and Kogi States. Security agencies in the affected areas have since heightened surveillance and activated counter-terrorism operations to forestall the threat.

Kogi State, bordered by ten states and the Federal Capital Territory, has been identified as a strategic hub due to its central location and security significance.

Reading the communiqué on behalf of NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the Forum received a presentation from the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, on emerging security threats and intelligence-led strategies to strengthen subnational coordination.

“The briefing focused on countering violent extremism, managing inter-communal tensions, and addressing security risks linked to economic hardship and political transition.

Governors expressed appreciation to the DSS for its proactive engagement and reiterated their commitment to deepen intelligence sharing and collaboration with federal security agencies to enhance peace and stability across the states," Sanwo-Olu said.

The communiqué also noted that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349), which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create special constituencies exclusively contested by women in the National and State Assemblies, will be voted on between November 4 and 6, 2025.

Governors were urged to engage lawmakers at both federal and state levels to support the bill’s passage as part of Nigeria’s commitment to equity and inclusive governance.

In a related development, the NGF endorsed the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) ongoing economic stabilisation measures and called for continued synergy between monetary and fiscal authorities to sustain growth and macroeconomic stability.

According to the communiqué, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, represented by the Deputy Governor (Economic Policy), Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, briefed the Forum on recent policy efforts aimed at restoring price stability and market confidence.

These include tightening monetary policy, unifying exchange rate windows, and recapitalising banks to curb inflation, enhance liquidity management, and consolidate economic recovery.

Governors commended the apex bank’s coordinated approach with fiscal authorities and reaffirmed their support for policies that promote sustainable growth and state fiscal stability.