​JALINGO – Governors from Nigeria’s six North-Eastern states have issued a dire warning about a looming humanitarian and economic crisis, citing the combined threats of climate change, rising agricultural costs, and fragile infrastructure.

The alarm was raised in a communiqué released at the conclusion of the 12th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF), chaired by Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Saturday in Jalingo, Taraba State.

The governors expressed concern that despite progress in the fight against insurgency, the region is facing a convergence of new and existing challenges that could devastate millions of livelihoods.

The Looming Flood Threat

The forum’s primary concern is the forecast from climate agencies predicting imminent and widespread flooding across the sub-region. The governors called for proactive measures to mitigate the disaster and urged for robust public sensitization for communities residing in flood-prone areas.

In a direct appeal to the federal government and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), the NEGF called for the urgent reconstruction of bridges and other critical infrastructure that have already been weakened by previous floods. This preemptive action is seen as vital to prevent a repeat of the devastating floods of previous years, which destroyed farmlands, displaced communities, and led to significant loss of life.

Worsening Food Insecurity

The governors also highlighted the dire state of food security in the region. They decried the rising costs of agricultural inputs, warning that if no intervention is made, the region could face poor harvests and a severe hunger crisis in 2026. The communiqué called for increased subsidies for farmers and a robust plan for dry-season farming to avert the impending food crisis.

According to the latest reports, an estimated 33 million Nigerians are projected to face acute food insecurity in 2025, with a significant concentration in the North-East. The situation is exacerbated by persistent conflict, which has limited access to farmlands, and a decline in humanitarian funding from international partners, including the World Food Programme (WFP).

The governors reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and also directed their Power and Energy Committee to develop a sub-regional master plan, with a focus on solar energy, to combat energy poverty.