Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has said that the North’s persistent challenges stem from elite complacency, decades of poor policy decisions, and institutional neglect that long predate Nigeria’s current administration.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement at Arewa House, Kaduna, Aliyu acknowledged that while President Bola Tinubu’s government inherited many issues, Northern leaders—both political and intellectual—must take part of the blame.
“Our problems didn’t start today, and they weren’t caused solely by this government,” Aliyu said. “Many of us who watched and did nothing must also bear the blame. We failed to act when it mattered most.”
The forum, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, builds on its 2022 dialogue with presidential candidates and aims to foster inclusive governance through direct engagement between policymakers and citizens in the North.
Aliyu identified insurgency, banditry, youth unemployment, poverty, porous borders, and the rising number of out-of-school children as urgent crises threatening stability and development in the region.
He warned that the growing disconnect between leaders and the public was fuelling mistrust and misinformation, saying,
“There’s a communication vacuum between governments and the governed. That gap is breeding frustration and eroding public trust.”
To rebuild that trust, Aliyu advocated institutionalised town hall-style meetings to promote transparency and civic engagement, citing international models that have improved democratic participation.
“Let’s be clear: there’s a big difference between governance and partisanship. Governments must listen to the people, and citizens must be bold enough to speak up—with respect and clarity,” he added.
He reaffirmed the foundation’s non-partisan stance, praising organisations like the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), and Arewa House for promoting accountability.
“Together, we must remind our leaders that if they escape accounting here, they won’t escape it in the hereafter,” he said.
Aliyu also condemned the long delays surrounding major federal projects like the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and Baro Inland Port, calling them unfulfilled promises.
“The Mambilla project is a 40-year-old scam. Kill it or come clean. As for Baro Port, government must complete it and dredge the River Niger. Stop deceiving Nigerians,” he declared.
In his remarks, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, urged President Tinubu to honour campaign promises to Northern voters, who delivered 5.6 million of the 8.8 million votes that secured his 2023 victory.
“We believe the region has earned the right to benefit from the promises made during the campaign,” Dalhatu said.
He disclosed that Northern leaders presented key expectations to Tinubu during a May 30, 2024 meeting. These include demands for enhanced security, revived agriculture, improved education, and investment in infrastructure and energy.
Dalhatu acknowledged the complexity of governance but stressed that federal policies must begin to reflect Northern interests more clearly.
“Our advocacy has been peaceful, respectful, and well-intentioned,” he said. “We aim to support the President in delivering on his promises—especially to Northern communities still plagued by insecurity and poverty.”
Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, also called for urgent federal intervention in education and infrastructure, warning that neglect of these sectors poses long-term threats to national stability.
He lamented that the North accounts for a disproportionate share of Nigeria’s estimated 20 million out-of-school children, calling it a “structural failure” resulting from years of underinvestment.
“If even half of the N15 trillion federal budget were channelled into education, we could build schools, train teachers, and drastically cut down the out-of-school population,” he said.
Abdullahi also criticised poor road infrastructure in the North-East, describing it as among the worst in the country, and highlighted recent controversies at the Central Bank of Nigeria, including department relocations and lopsided appointments, as signs of marginalisation.
He called for the strategic siting of agro-allied industries across the North to harness its agricultural potential and boost economic inclusion.
“If we truly want Nigeria to develop, then the North must be industrialised along its natural endowments,” Abdullahi added. “These conversations are necessary for progress, and we hope to see greater inclusion and responsiveness going forward.”
