President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Northern Nigeria, describing it as vital to the nation’s prosperity.
Speaking at a Stakeholder Roundtable on northern youth development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized the interconnectedness of the nation’s regions.
He invoked the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria, as a guiding principle.
“The North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives.
“Whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation,” Tinubu stated.
Addressing the nation’s high number of out-of-school children, President Tinubu described the issue as a pressing challenge.
“This alarming statistic has turned the promise of our population into a challenge rather than the dividend it ought to be,” he said.
Tinubu outlined an ambitious suite of youth-focused initiatives under his administration, including the 3 million technical talent programme, a presidential initiative for youth enterprise clusters, the skill-up artisans programme, the Nigerian Youth Academy, and the National Youth Talent Export Programme.
Others the president named are the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, investment in digital and creative enterprises, outsource to Nigeria initiative and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
Recognizing the North’s strategic role as Nigeria’s agricultural hub, Tinubu emphasized investments in agriculture and industrialization as key drivers for economic growth.
“The North holds the potential to be Nigeria’s foremost agricultural hub, contributing significantly to national food security,” he added.
President Tinubu also highlighted measures to address security challenges, including strengthening community policing, rehabilitating displaced persons and tackling cross-border issues such as smuggling and insurgency.
He reiterated his administration’s focus on empowering local governments to enhance service delivery nationwide.
With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third-largest country by 2050, Tinubu stressed the urgency of investing in the nation’s youth.
“By 2050, three-quarters of Nigerians will be under 21. Our challenge is to engineer a transition towards a federation defined by order, stability, and safety,” he said.
He also announced plans to establish a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank to provide financial and informational support to young Nigerians.
“You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present,” Tinubu told the youth, emphasizing their role in shaping national policies and programs.
The event’s host, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the importance of addressing youth issues.
“The youth are the driving force of our present and future. Addressing their concerns is paramount to national stability and progress,” he said.
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of education.
“Education is the strongest legacy any leader can leave to society. Without it, you cannot build a meaningful future,” he said, urging the government to prioritize education and youth engagement.
