The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Defence under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher G. Musa (Rtd.), has convened the North Central Security Summit 2026 to strengthen regional cooperation and develop practical, community-centred responses to security challenges across the zone.
The summit, hosted by the Benue State Government under the leadership of the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was held at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, under the theme: “Collaborative Approach to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability.”
The summit brought together Governors, representatives of State Governments, security and intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, members of the National and State Assemblies, government officials and other critical stakeholders from across the North Central region.
A major highlight of the summit was the launching of the North Central Community Early Warning and Early Response Network, an initiative of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central.
The Network is designed to strengthen community-level early warning, intelligence gathering, information sharing and coordinated early response to emerging security threats. It will also provide a structured platform for communities and relevant authorities to communicate emerging threats and support timely intervention before conflicts and criminal activities escalate.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, stressed that communities must remain central to Nigeria’s efforts to prevent and respond to insecurity, noting that residents and traditional institutions are often the first to observe signs of emerging threats.
DIGNITARIES IN ATTENDANCE
The summit had in attendance the following dignitaries in order of protocol:
- The Representative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR – His Excellency, Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation
- The Host Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State
- His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State
- His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Executive Governor of Plateau State
- Representatives of the Governors of Kogi and Niger States
- Hon. Dr. Bernard Doro, Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction
- Dame Pauline K. Tallen, OFR, Former Honourable Minister of Women Affairs
- A representative of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris
- A representative of the Honourable Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu
- Traditional and Religious Leaders from across the North Central region
- Members of the National and State Assemblies, Security and Intelligence Chiefs, Civil Society Organizations, Community Leaders, Retired Military Officers, Government Officials and other critical stakeholders.
The summit further focused on strengthening intelligence sharing, improving inter-agency coordination, promoting community-based conflict prevention, enhancing early warning and rapid response mechanisms, and addressing socio-economic factors contributing to insecurity in the region.
The summit underscored the strategic importance of the North Central region to Nigeria’s national security, food security, economic development and social stability. Participants highlighted the need for sustained collaboration and practical interventions that address insecurity at both the institutional and community levels.
The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community engagement, supporting peaceful coexistence and building sustainable partnerships among communities, governments, traditional institutions and security agencies.
The launch of the North Central Community Early Warning and Early Response Network marks a significant step towards institutionalising grassroots participation in security management and ensuring that early signals of threats receive timely and coordinated responses.
The North Central Security Summit 2026 therefore represents a renewed commitment to moving from dialogue to action in securing lives, livelihoods and communities across the region.
Signed
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central