…Demands recognition of Nigeria’s media laws by unregulated Int’l broadcasters, National Security partnership, protection of Nigeria’s information sovereignty
Aminu Imam
Participants at the 2nd Liberty Symposium, held last Tuesday in Abuja, have called for urgent reforms to tackle insecurity, poverty, educational decline, youth unemployment and leadership failures in Northern Nigeria, warning that the region can no longer afford to ignore the structural problems hindering its development.
The symposium, under the theme: ‘Re-Imagining the North: Media, Productive Power and the Making of the Next Northern Nigeria‘, brought together policymakers, media executives, traditional leaders, academics, security experts, business leaders and civil society groups.
The gathering declared that Northern Nigeria remains one of the country’s most strategic assets but is underperforming despite its vast agricultural, mineral and human resources. Participants identified insecurity, weak institutions, poor educational outcomes, youth disenfranchisement, economic stagnation and growing social divisions as major threats to the region’s future.
The symposium said Northern Nigeria must embrace what it described as a “New Northern Consensus” built on truth, productivity, merit, unity and responsible leadership, stressing that the region’s future depends on economic production, innovation and accountable governance rather than rhetoric and dependency.
A major focus of the discussions was the almajiri system, which participants described as one of the region’s most pressing social and developmental challenges. While acknowledging the importance of traditional Islamic education, the symposium called for comprehensive reforms that integrate modern education, vocational skills, technology and entrepreneurship.
Stakeholders also expressed concern over increasing ethnic, religious and political divisions, warning that fragmentation is weakening the region’s collective ability to address common challenges and compete effectively in a rapidly changing world.
The gathering further emphasised the role of the media in shaping development outcomes, investment confidence, public accountability and social cohesion, while lamenting what it called the marginalisation of Northern-owned media organisations in national advertising spending.
The symposium concluded with the launch process for the Abuja Media Compact for the Next Northern Nigeria (2026–2036), a media-led framework aimed at driving regional transformation, economic growth, social renewal and inclusive development.
KEY RESOLUTIONS
• Inclusive Advertising for Northern Media
Participants called for equitable access to national advertising budgets for Northern-owned media organisations to strengthen their sustainability, expand local content production and promote balanced national communication.
• Regulation of Online and Foreign Broadcasters
The symposium urged the government to enforce the registration of online broadcasting platforms and ensure that international broadcasters operating in Nigeria comply with the country’s broadcasting regulations.
• Media Partnership Against Insecurity
Participants called for stronger collaboration between government and licensed Northern media organisations in combating insecurity through public enlightenment campaigns, counter-misinformation efforts, community peace messaging and early-warning communication systems.
• Economic Growth as a Security Strategy
Federal and state governments were urged to prioritise investments capable of creating jobs, expanding enterprise and reducing the conditions that fuel conflict and instability.
• Massive Investment in Youth Development
The symposium called for increased investment in education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, technology and leadership programmes to harness the region’s youthful population for economic growth.
• Regional Economic Cooperation
Northern states were encouraged to deepen collaboration in agriculture, trade, transportation, energy and industrial development to boost competitiveness and attract investment.
• Governance and Institutional Reforms
Participants backed ongoing discussions on governance reforms, accountability and stronger subnational institutions to improve development and security outcomes.
The symposium ended with a call on governments, development partners, traditional institutions, businesses and civil society groups to move beyond discussions and commit to implementing practical solutions capable of transforming Northern Nigeria into a centre of productivity, innovation, peace and shared prosperity.
