Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described the transformation of Northern Nigeria as a national priority, urging stronger collaboration among government, media, civil society and the private sector to unlock the region’s vast economic and human potential.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Liberty symposium, titled: ‘Re-imagining the North: Media, Productive Power, and the Making of the Next Northern Nigeria’, organised by Liberty Media Group at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Idris said the North remains central to Nigeria’s development aspirations and must be strategically repositioned for inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity.
The Minister commended the organisers for convening what he described as a timely and forward-looking dialogue focused on charting a new developmental path for the region.
According to him, the Federal Government is fully aligned with efforts aimed at revitalising Northern Nigeria through investments in human capital, agriculture, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, and social development. “The Northern region of Nigeria remains central to our national identity, our economic potential, and our collective future. Any serious national development agenda must therefore place emphasis on unlocking the productive capacities of the North”, he said.
Idris noted that the administration is implementing programmes targeted at economic empowerment, youth engagement, renewable energy, education, and infrastructure development to improve living standards across the region. He, however, stressed that meaningful development cannot take place without peace and security, acknowledging that terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent criminality continue to pose serious challenges in parts of Northern Nigeria.
The Minister assured participants that the Federal Government remains committed to confronting insecurity through a combination of military operations, intelligence gathering, community engagement, and non-kinetic interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict. “Through strengthened collaboration among our armed forces, intelligence agencies, and community-based structures, we are steadily working to restore lasting peace and stability”, he said.
He added that efforts to tackle poverty, illiteracy, and social exclusion are also being intensified as part of a broader strategy to promote long-term security and development.
Highlighting the role of the media in shaping the future of the region, Idris said journalists and media organisations must see themselves not only as observers but also as critical partners in nation-building. He said the symposium’s theme aptly underscored the influence of the media in shaping public discourse, promoting development, and fostering unity.
The Minister called for responsible journalism that educates, informs, and unites citizens, warning against the dangers posed by misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
According to him, false narratives and unverified reports have the potential to inflame tensions, erode public trust, and threaten national cohesion.
Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening engagement with the media sector through initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, media capacity building, and digital literacy. “A well-informed public is essential to a functioning democracy, and we will continue to support initiatives that strengthen media capacity and digital literacy across the country,” he said.
The Minister concluded by calling on all stakeholders to embrace innovation, courage, and collective responsibility in building a secure, productive, and prosperous Northern Nigeria.
“Reimagining Northern Nigeria is not just a slogan—it is a national imperative”, he declared, urging all sectors of society to work together in creating greater opportunities for the region’s people.
The symposium brought together media executives, policymakers, scholars, development experts, and civil society leaders to discuss strategies for harnessing the North’s productive potential and accelerating regional development.
