The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has approved the appointment of seasoned administrator and development expert, Ezekiel Gomos, as the pioneer Director-General of its Secretariat. The decision was endorsed under the leadership of the Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
The creation of the Director-General position marks a significant shift in the Forum’s efforts to overhaul its institutional framework and enhance the effectiveness of joint decision-making among the 19 northern states. According to the Forum, the new role is part of a broader strategy to transform the Secretariat into a dynamic centre for policy coordination, regional planning, and unified responses to the socio-economic and security challenges confronting Northern Nigeria.
Gomos arrives with an impressive portfolio of experience. A former Secretary to the Plateau State Government, he has built a reputation as a development economist and governance reform specialist. His career spans major institutions including the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), where he contributed to organisational restructuring, human capital development and economic transformation initiatives.
He also played a key role in the private-sector leadership space as Lead Consultant and Head of Faculty at the Jos Business School (JBS). At JBS, Gomos facilitated programmes focused on entrepreneurship, leadership capacity-building and public policy dialogue—areas that are expected to shape his new responsibilities within the NSGF.
For nearly 20 years, he has served as a resource person at the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, where he has been involved in sharpening the strategic thinking of senior government officials, security leaders and technocrats nationwide.
Gomos’ academic and professional training is equally noteworthy. He holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom. His pursuit of excellence has earned him globally respected fellowships, such as the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship at the University of Minnesota, the British Chevening Scholarship, and a UNDP Fellowship at the ILO Centre in Turin, Italy. He has further enriched his executive expertise through programmes at Harvard Kennedy School, University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and Durham University Business School.
While presenting the appointment letter, Governor Yahaya urged the new Director-General to leverage his extensive experience in institutional development and policy management to reposition the Secretariat. He emphasised that Gomos’ leadership would be vital to enhancing regional cooperation on security, economic integration and long-term development planning.
The Forum expressed optimism that the new appointment will pave the way for more coherent regional strategies, stronger inter-state collaboration, and a more proactive approach to addressing the North’s pressing development and security concerns.
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