Kaduna Summit Pressures Federal Government to Address Northern Marginalisation
The Federal Government has pledged to review its development policies and project allocations following mounting pressure from Northern leaders at a landmark summit held in Kaduna last week. The two-day conference, convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House, served as a platform for prominent Northern stakeholders to voice deep-seated concerns over alleged regional marginalisation.
The Kaduna Summit, which brought together state governors, traditional rulers, civil society actors, and political leaders, focused on the region’s perceived neglect in key areas such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, and energy. Participants cited disparities in federal allocations and rising insecurity as signs that the North has been left behind under the current administration.
“We came together not to oppose the Federal Government, but to demand fairness and equity,” said Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum. “The North cannot continue to contribute electorally and get so little in return developmentally.”
According to figures presented at the summit, the South West received approximately ₦1.39 trillion in infrastructure spending in 2025, while the North West and North East were allocated only ₦105 billion and ₦30 billion respectively. Leaders expressed particular concern over the delay of strategic projects such as the Mambilla Hydro Power Project, the Abuja, Kaduna Kano gas pipeline, and the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.
Insecurity, youth unemployment, and poor education outcomes also featured prominently in the summit’s communiqué. Northern Nigeria currently accounts for over 80% of the country’s out-of-school children, and despite its agricultural potential, it received less than 5% of the national budget for agriculture well below the African Union’s recommended 10–25%.
Following the summit, federal authorities acknowledged the grievances and signaled readiness to address them. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga stated on Monday that the Presidency is reviewing regional budget allocations and project progress reports, adding that President Bola Tinubu is “committed to ensuring balanced national development.”
In a bid to institutionalize follow-up, Northern leaders proposed the creation of a permanent liaison mechanism between the Federal Government and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). This body would monitor government responsiveness to development demands and maintain regular engagement on key policy areas.
Observers say the summit’s success lay in its strategic tone: firm yet constructive. Rather than adopting a confrontational posture, leaders acknowledged the administration’s achievements while stressing that more must be done to reflect the region’s electoral support and socio-economic needs.
Political analyst Halima Garba noted that, “This is perhaps the most unified and pragmatic push by Northern elites in recent years. The summit converted political capital into policy leverage.”
With the Federal Government under pressure to respond meaningfully, the coming months are expected to reveal whether the commitments made in the wake of the Kaduna summit will translate into visible improvements on the ground.
