With seven states working under a common peace and development framework, the future of Nigeria’s Northwest could have implications far beyond the region.
Nigeria’s Northwest is facing a challenge that extends beyond security.
With seven states sharing interconnected economic, social and security concerns, the region’s ability to build lasting peace has implications not only for the communities within it, but also for Nigeria, West Africa and the wider Sahel.
At the centre of this approach is the Northwest Peace, Security and Development Framework, a regional initiative bringing together Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara under a common strategy for peace, resilience, development and economic growth.
Speaking at a high-level UN General Assembly side event on the framework, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed emphasised the wider importance of stability in the region.
She noted that when the Northwest is stable, Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel also benefit from greater stability.
Why the Northwest Matters
The Northwest is not only a security concern. It is also an important part of Nigeria’s agricultural and economic landscape.
The seven states account for significant agricultural production and possess considerable livestock resources, mineral deposits, trade corridors and a large young population capable of contributing to economic transformation.
The region accounted for about one-third of Nigeria’s reported maize production and nearly two-fifths of rice production during the 2022–2023 main agricultural season.
These resources give the Northwest considerable economic potential. However, insecurity, displacement, weak infrastructure and limited access to opportunities can prevent that potential from translating into sustainable development.
Peace Cannot Stand Alone
A major message behind the regional framework is that security cannot be separated from development.
Military and security operations remain necessary, but they cannot deliver lasting stability on their own.
According to Mohammed, sustainable peace also requires jobs, functioning institutions, schools, healthcare and economic opportunities.
The framework therefore connects security with humanitarian action, economic development and regional cooperation, while highlighting areas such as infrastructure, electricity, skills development, agriculture, enterprise and access to markets.
From Seven States to One Regional Agenda
Another significant aspect of the initiative is the decision by the seven Northwest states to work around a common regional strategy.
Rather than addressing their challenges individually, the states are presenting shared priorities for peace, security and sustainable development.
Mohammed commended the governors for setting aside individual state interests and presenting a unified regional agenda.
She also urged development partners and UN agencies to organise their interventions around the governors’ framework instead of pursuing fragmented programmes.
The Human Cost of Instability
Behind the discussions about investment, infrastructure and economic growth is a major humanitarian challenge.
More than 700,000 people have been forced from their homes across the Northwest, highlighting the human consequences of insecurity and instability.
For communities affected by displacement and insecurity, the success of any development framework will ultimately depend on whether programmes and resources reach the people who need them most.
Mohammed stressed that regional financing would mean little unless resources eventually reach vulnerable communities.
From Insecurity to Opportunity
The Northwest also possesses assets that could support long-term economic transformation.
Its agricultural base, livestock resources, mineral wealth, trade corridors and large youth population present opportunities for processing industries, modern livestock value chains, responsible mining and businesses capable of creating employment.
With better roads, electricity, skills and access to markets, these resources could contribute more significantly to local economies.
This is why the framework seeks to encourage investors and development partners to look beyond the region’s security challenges and recognise its economic potential.
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The Bigger Picture
The Northwest’s challenges do not exist in isolation.
Its location and connections with the wider West African and Sahelian region mean that instability can have consequences beyond state and national borders.
At the same time, stronger institutions, economic opportunities, food production and regional cooperation could create benefits that extend beyond the seven states.
The proposed approach is therefore about more than restoring security.
It is about creating conditions where peace can support development, and development can reinforce peace.
For the Northwest, the bigger question is whether its resources, population and regional cooperation can be transformed into lasting stability and inclusive economic opportunity.
And for Nigeria, West Africa and the Sahel, the answer could shape how the region approaches the relationship between security, development and peace for years to come.
