Tinubu Has Kept Faith With North, Say Governors, Ministers at Kaduna Summit
Northern governors, ministers, and senior government officials have defended President Bola Tinubu’s record in the region, dismissing allegations of marginalisation and highlighting major infrastructure and social investments over the past two years.
Speaking at a two-day summit organised by the Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on July 29–30, the officials presented scorecards of projects and programmes in the North since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The event, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens’ Engagement for National Unity”, brought together political leaders and stakeholders from across the region.
The Director-General of the Budget Office, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, said over half of the federal government’s capital budgets for 2024 and 2025 are allocated to projects in the North. He cited major initiatives such as the Abuja–Kano Expressway dualisation, the ₦12.1 trillion Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, the Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway, the Zungeru–Kano Power Transmission Line, inland dry ports in Funtua and Bauchi, and airport runway expansions in Katsina, Maiduguri, and Kaduna.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Special Adviser Dr. Aliyu Moddibo, stated that the administration’s reforms are designed to be inclusive and reflect the economic realities of Nigerians. Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume added that no region would be left behind in the government’s development plans.
Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu said the administration’s policies aim to transform the economy and deliver on campaign promises, while National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu reported significant security gains in the North, including improved safety along previously dangerous highways such as Kaduna–Abuja and Zamfara–Katsina routes.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani and Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya praised the President’s commitment to the North, while acknowledging ongoing challenges. However, Bashir Dalhatu, Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum Board of Trustees, maintained that many in the region still feel neglected, pointing to budget allocations he claimed fell short of expectations.
The discussions also referenced promises Tinubu made to Northern leaders in 2022, including investment in agriculture, mining, education, and infrastructure. While participants differed on whether the administration has fully delivered on these commitments, several speakers called for accelerated work on major projects such as the Sokoto Badagry Highway, the Mambilla Hydroelectric Dam, Baro Inland Port, and Ajaokuta Steel Mill.
The summit ended with calls for both federal and Northern regional leaders to address lingering development gaps, with some participants noting that progress in the region depends on joint action from all tiers of government.
