…Calls for equity
A powerful chorus of Northern voices has emerged from Kaduna, where regional leaders, stakeholders, and policy experts converged at two separate but thematically-aligned gatherings to address growing concerns over federal neglect and demanding a more equitable distribution of national resources.
At the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) Summit, a communiqué signed by the Foundation’s Director-General, Dr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, outlined sweeping recommendations to redress long-standing developmental disparities in Northern Nigeria.
The participants called for urgent federal investment in critical infrastructure such as the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline, the Kolmani oil exploration project, rural irrigation systems, and neglected highways.
“The North plays a pivotal role in national stability, development, and electoral outcomes”, the communiqué stated, adding that agricultural value-chains, livestock development, and rural industrialisation are essential to ensure food security and create jobs.
The Summit also urged both federal and state governments to institutionalise dialogue with citizens, strengthen civil society engagement, and adopt non-kinetic, inclusive approaches to security and economic reforms. A recurring concern was the worsening Almajiri and out-of-school children crisis, which participants argued requires substantial investment in education.
The meeting, however, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for certain strides in security and infrastructure but emphasized the need for greater transparency, fairness, and collaboration to foster national unity.
However, a parallel gathering — the Sardauna Memorial Lecture — exposed deep tensions beneath these commendations. Northern elders and elites, under the aegis of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), mounted a sharp critique of President Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of perpetuating regional favoritism.
Chairman of ACF’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Ɗalhatu (Wazirin Dutse), presented damning budgetary figures that revealed glaring disparities in federal allocations: while the South-West received over ₦1.3 trillion for road projects, the North-East got just ₦30 billion and the North-West ₦105 billion. He also cited Tinubu’s recent $21.5 billion loan request, pointing out that over $3.9 billion was earmarked for South-West projects alone, including the Lagos Green Line and Lekki Access Roads.
“These figures speak louder than any political defense. Northern appointees are parroting rehearsed talking points while the region is being shortchanged”, the Wazirin Dutse declared..
Observers noted that many Northern ministers and advisers present at the event were unable to offer a substantive rebuttal, further fueling perceptions that the North’s interests are being sidelined within the administration they serve.
Despite these criticisms, both gatherings concluded with a united call for national cohesion, urging stakeholders at all levels — including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, SGF George Akume, NSA Nuhu Ribaɗu, and the Northern Governors — to embrace fairness and inclusiveness as the foundation for lasting peace, justice and prosperity in Nigeria.
