President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling terrorism and banditry in Northern Nigeria, emphasizing that no region will be left to suffer while the federal government acts.
Speaking at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, Tinubu, represented by House of Representatives Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas, described the North as facing one of the gravest tests in its history, marked by insecurity, erosion of communal ethics, and weakened social cohesion.
He warned that Nigeria cannot thrive if key parts of the country remain destabilized, stressing that the North’s stability is critical for national peace and progress.
Highlighting the ACF’s role over 25 years, Tinubu praised the forum as a platform of patriots, thinkers, and moral leaders that has safeguarded the region’s dignity and interests.
He urged leaders to prioritize institutional strength over individual prominence, asserting that the North’s success depends on robust institutions rather than strong personalities.
Tinubu also pledged to reverse the North’s economic decline, noting optimism over new oil prospects, including the upcoming rollout from the Kolmani fields.
He listed key development initiatives, including accelerated road, rail, and river transport projects, with the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Superhighway slated for completion in the coming months.
The President called on Northern leaders to embrace selflessness, moral responsibility, and unity, warning that failure begins when leaders ignore hunger, insecurity, and fear faced by their people.
He said rebuilding trust across communities is essential, as insecurity, economic stagnation, and educational deficits will worsen if social harmony is not restored.
Tinubu highlighted the proposed ACF Endowment Fund as a bold initiative to secure the region’s future, focusing on girl-child education, youth skills development, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution.
Concluding his address, he urged the North to continue acting as a moral compass, asserting that with unity, the region can overcome insecurity, rebuild its economy, and remain a central pillar of Nigeria’s progress.
