Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has attributed the persistent challenges facing Northern Nigeria to elite complacency, institutional neglect, and decades of poor policy decisions—long before the emergence of the Tinubu administration.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement held at Arewa House, Kaduna, Aliyu said Northern political and intellectual elites must accept part of the blame for the region’s current realities.
“Our problems didn’t start today, and they weren’t caused solely by this government. Many of us who watched and did nothing must also bear the blame. We failed to act when it mattered most,” he said.
The engagement, convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, builds on its 2022 presidential dialogue and aims to strengthen inclusive governance through structured discourse between policymakers and citizens across Northern Nigeria.
Key Concerns: Insecurity, Poverty, Mistrust
Aliyu listed key regional concerns including insurgency, banditry, rising poverty, high youth unemployment, porous borders, and the alarming number of out-of-school children.
He also warned that the growing disconnect between government institutions and citizens is fueling mistrust, misinformation, and frustration.
“There is a communication vacuum between governments and the governed. That gap is breeding frustration and eroding public trust. This forum is a deliberate attempt to bridge that divide,” he stated.
Aliyu called for institutionalised town hall-style meetings nationwide, citing successful global examples where sustained civic engagement helped shape public policy and democratic stability.
“There’s a big difference between governance and partisanship. Governments must listen to the people, and citizens must be bold enough to speak up—with respect and clarity,” he added.
He reaffirmed the Foundation’s non-partisan mission, grounded in principles of justice, equity, and good governance, and lauded platforms such as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), and Arewa House for consistently demanding accountability.
“Together, we must remind our leaders that if they escape accounting here, they won’t escape it in the hereafter,” he warned.
Unfulfilled Promises: Mambilla, Baro Projects
Dr. Aliyu also condemned the prolonged delay in completing the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and Baro Inland Port, describing both as long-standing deceptions.
“The Mambilla project is a 40-year-old scam. Kill it or come clean. As for Baro Port, government must complete it and dredge the River Niger. Stop deceiving Nigerians,” he said.
Northern Leaders to Tinubu: Honor Your Promises
Also speaking at the event, ACF Board Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, reminded President Bola Tinubu of the overwhelming electoral support he received from the North in the 2023 elections.
“Of the 8.8 million votes that brought this government to power, the North alone delivered 5.6 million. We believe the region has earned the right to benefit from the promises made during the campaign,” Dalhatu said.
He disclosed that Northern leaders had tabled their expectations before President Tinubu during a May 30, 2024 meeting. Top on their list were:
Improved security,
Revamped agriculture,
Quality education,
Investment in energy and infrastructure.
Dalhatu acknowledged that development takes time but urged the Federal Government to begin clearly reflecting Northern priorities in its policies and actions.
“Our advocacy has been peaceful, respectful, and well-intentioned. We aim to support the President in delivering on his promises—especially to Northern communities still plagued by insecurity and poverty.”
He praised the Foundation for fostering sustained dialogue and stressed the need for ongoing citizen-government engagement to deepen democratic accountability.
NEF’s Abdullahi Demands Investment in Education, Infrastructure
In his remarks, NEF Chairman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, called for urgent federal attention to education and infrastructure in Northern Nigeria, warning that continued neglect poses a national development risk.
He decried the region’s large share of the estimated 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, attributing it to long-term systemic failure.
“If even half of the N15 trillion federal budget were channelled into education, we could build schools, train teachers, and drastically reduce the out-of-school population,” he stated.
Abdullahi also highlighted the poor state of roads in the North-East, calling it one of the worst in the country and a major impediment to economic development.
He urged for equitable representation in federal appointments, expressing concern over what he described as lopsided leadership selections at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the controversial relocation of some CBN departments to Lagos.
Further, he advocated for the strategic siting of agro-allied industries in the North to tap into the region’s vast agricultural potential.
“If we truly want Nigeria to develop, then the North must be industrialised along its natural endowments,” he said.
Abdullahi concluded by encouraging constructive dialogue, calling on all stakeholders to remain committed to inclusion, fairness, and national cohesion.
“These conversations are necessary for progress, and we hope to see greater inclusion and responsiveness going forward.”
