President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized that Nigeria’s progress hinges on the prosperity of the northern region. Speaking at a Stakeholder Roundtable on Northern Youth Development in Abuja, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, the President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, invoked the legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“The late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was one of the towering giants on whose shoulders we have ascended as a nation,” he said. “His vision was clear: the North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives.”
Tinubu warned that neglecting any region’s development harms the nation as a whole. “Whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation. For far too long, we have been taunted as a nation with the most children out of school—a reality that should not elicit pride but provoke urgent action,” he noted.
Youth Empowerment and Development Programs
Outlining his administration’s youth-focused initiatives, Tinubu highlighted several programs, including:
- 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program
- Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters
- Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA)
- Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA)
- National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP)
“Our creative and digital economy is another goldmine,” Tinubu said, while emphasizing that these initiatives aim to harness the potential of young Nigerians.
He further announced plans for a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank to provide financial and informational support.
On agriculture, Tinubu described the North as Nigeria’s agricultural hub, adding, “Investments in agriculture and industrialization will further position the North as Nigeria’s foremost agricultural hub.”
Tackling Security Challenges
Acknowledging the North’s security issues, Tinubu pledged to strengthen community policing, rehabilitate displaced persons, and address cross-border challenges such as smuggling and insurgency.
“With Nigeria projected to become the third-largest nation globally by 2050, with three-quarters of our citizens under 21, this task is both urgent and achievable,” he added.
Addressing the youth directly, Tinubu said: “You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present. Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programs.”
Calls for Education and Dialogue
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, underscored the critical role of education, describing it as the foundation for any society’s progress. “Without education, you are nobody,” he said. “More money should be spent educating our children. Education must be the government’s top priority.”
Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, echoed these sentiments, urging the government to implement the roundtable’s recommendations. “The youth are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of our present and future,” he said.
The event marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary and served as a platform to highlight the need for collaborative efforts to address the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
