The North has given the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration high marks for its performance, following presentations by members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other key government officials.
Among those present were National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa, and governors, including Northern States Governors’ Forum Chairman Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and host Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna).
The positive assessment came after a two-day roundtable on Government-Citizen Engagement, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna.
A communiqué released after the sessions highlighted that participants:
“Commended the government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in many areas, especially security, infrastructural development.”
“Called for substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North.”
Mohammed Idris, Minister for Information and National Orientation, summarized the event’s outcome: “The verdict from most northern opinion leaders, technocrats, and academics, amongst others, is that the Tinubu Administration is a pro-North in all ramifications, from appointments to spending on the region in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, livestock, housing, and the unprecedented opportunity it offers for the northern youth.”
He added, “The ministers and heads of parastatals who attended the event performed creditably in communicating the achievements of President Tinubu.”
Four ministers—Atiku Bagudu (Budget and National Planning), Muhammad Ali Pate (Coordinating Minister, Health and Social Welfare), Saidu Alkali (Transportation), and Aliyu Abdullahi (Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security)—detailed the government’s accomplishments, providing evidence that the North has benefited under the Tinubu Administration.
The event served as a forum to evaluate the administration’s progress and reiterate calls for more inclusive and transparent governance.
The communiqué further stated: “In line with its objective of deepening dialogue between critical stakeholders and the public to drive inclusive decision-making, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) hosted a two-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement themed ‘Assessing electoral promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity’ at the Arewa House, Kaduna, from 29th to 30th July 2025.”
It also noted: “The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, HE Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented the President, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties (Office of the Vice President), represented HE Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON.”
Additionally, “The Kaduna State Governor, HE Senator Uba Sani, served as the chief host. The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), HE Inuwa Yahaya, was also in attendance as a special guest.”
“The engagement featured representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and included the National Security Adviser, members of the Federal Executive Council, heads of federal agencies, Chief of Defence Staff and security chiefs from the Northern part of the country.”
The event “brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations, academics, traditional and religious leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners to deliberate on electoral promises, governance, and strategies to strengthen citizen engagement for national unity.”
Also in attendance were “the leaderships of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, led by HE Muazu Babangida Aliyu, CON and the Arewa Consultative Forum, led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse.”
“In addition to opening remarks and goodwill messages, the Foundation acknowledged the graciousness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in sending a high-powered delegation to the interaction, continuing the tradition of engagement that began with the October 17, 2022 session, as part of engagement with the 2023 presidential candidates.”
The keynote address, delivered by Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, GCON, “underscored critical regional and national challenges, which, he said, were not in isolation from international events.”
He asserted, “Citing examples with other countries, he said Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits. He advised the North to develop a mechanism for negotiating its interests within Nigeria that should be anchored on holistic national development goals.”
“The interactive session reflected Northern Nigeria’s position, emphasising the region’s central role in sustaining Nigeria’s political stability and economic growth, and recognising its overwhelming electoral support for the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The session also “featured plenary discussions across thematic areas of national security, governance and economy, agriculture and food security, infrastructure development, and human capital development.”
“Stakeholders commended the government’s high and commendable performance in fulfilling many of its electoral promises, particularly in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms.”
After two days of “exhaustive and frank conversations,” the summit made the following observations and resolutions:
Key Observations:
“The government demonstrated openness to dialogue and continuous citizen engagement.”
“The administration’s delivery of electoral promises in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms was high and commendable.”
“Northern Nigeria contributes significantly to national stability, development, and electoral outcomes.”
“The problem of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains a key concern of Northern Nigeria.”
“Equitable resource distribution is essential to address regional imbalances.”
“Major infrastructure projects are advancing, including highways, gas pipelines (AKK), oil exploration (Kolmani), and rural irrigation schemes.”
“Agricultural value chains and rural industrialisation are crucial for employment and food security.”
“Ongoing economic and security reforms require inclusive and non-kinetic approaches.”
“Strengthened federal-state collaboration is essential for regional prosperity.”
Key Resolutions:
“Made a case for institutionalised periodic government-citizen dialogue platforms at the national and state levels.”
“Commended the government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in many areas, especially security, infrastructural development.”
“Praised the increased equitable resource availability to subnational authorities.”
“Urged substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North.”
“Called for increased and accelerated infrastructural development in Nigeria; strengthening of agricultural value chains, livestock development, and establishing agro-allied industries for economic diversification.”
“Continued support for economic and security reforms with inclusive, community-driven, non-kinetic methods.”
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“Engage civil society, traditional, and religious leaders in policy advocacy and public mobilisation.”
“Promote responsible media practices to enhance public trust and national cohesion.”
“Foster regional collaboration among Northern states to drive greater interface with the federal government.”
The summit concluded that “Northern Nigeria acknowledges and commends the administration’s high performance in fulfilling its electoral promises in many areas and also appreciates subsisting challenges.”
Participants “called for more commitment to transparency, fairness and equity as elements that would foster national unity and sustenance of our democracy.”
They further called for “continued collaboration among government, citizens, and all stakeholders as the surest path to peace, justice, and prosperity in Nigeria.”
The communiqué was signed by Abubakar Gambo Umar, Director General of SAMF.
Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, urged the Northern elite to set aside political differences and work together for regional progress.
He expressed concern over the decline of shared values and fragmented leadership in the region, noting that, unlike in the past, today’s political class has not spoken with a unified voice or upheld the legacy of unity and vision of leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Dr. Aliyu acknowledged the significant presence of Northerners in the current administration, emphasizing the importance of the region supporting those in government and reminding them that they represent broader Northern interests, not just personal ambitions or party affiliations.
“No politician from the North can claim today that we don’t have people in government,” Aliyu stated. “What we need is to own them, guide them, and ensure they act in our collective interest.”
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