Tinubu Not Marginalising the North in Preference for South in Development, Says Dare
The Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, Mr. Sunday Dare, has strongly refuted claims made by former Kano State Governor and leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that the Tinubu administration is marginalizing Northern Nigeria in its development agenda.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Dare described Kwankwaso’s assertion as misleading and unfounded, insisting that President Tinubu has consistently prioritized the development of all regions, including the North.
“Senator Kwankwaso, you are wrong. The North is not neglected. President Tinubu has the North covered,” Dare wrote, emphasizing that Northern Nigeria is not being left behind.
Backing his rebuttal with what he termed “evidence,” Dare outlined numerous ongoing federal government projects and interventions across various sectors in Northern Nigeria initiated or continued under President Tinubu’s administration.
In infrastructure, major expressways such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Dual Carriageway, Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Expressway are under construction or rehabilitation. Other significant roadworks include the 1,068 km Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, Kano–Kongolam Road, Lafia Bypass, and key segments linking states like Adamawa, Borno, Taraba, Kebbi, and Niger Republic.
In the health sector, the administration is overseeing the development and expansion of major teaching hospitals in Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau, Bauchi, Yobe, and Sokoto. Over 1,000 primary healthcare centers across the North are also being revitalized to strengthen access to basic health services.
On agriculture, Dare highlighted a $158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain programme involving nine Northern states, the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe, and the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative — a six-year, World Bank–funded programme aimed at restoring degraded land and improving climate resilience. The Kano River irrigation project was also cited as a key intervention.
The energy and gas sector features prominently with the ongoing construction of the 614 km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline and associated infrastructure such as the Gwagwalada Power Plant and the proposed ABIBA Solar Power Station in Kaduna. These projects, according to Dare, aim to ensure stable and cleaner energy supply in the North.
Dare also listed landmark rail and metro projects including the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, the Kaduna Light Rail System (which has a ₦100 billion budget allocation), and the rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Line. These initiatives, he said, reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing transport and connectivity across the North.
In addition, the Trans-Sahara Trade Route is being developed to boost commerce between Northern Nigeria and neighboring regions, while institutions like the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) are receiving renewed attention for environmental sustainability and erosion control.
“All of these in only two years by President Tinubu,” Dare stated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to equitable development.
Kwankwaso, who recently accused the federal government of favouring Southern Nigeria in its policies and infrastructure drive, has yet to directly respond to Dare’s remarks. However, the presidency’s sharp response signals its readiness to counter narratives of regional imbalance, especially as political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections begin to take shape.
