The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed deliberate commitment to ensure even distribution of resources, both capital and human across all regions of the country, particularly the northern part of Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and National planning Abubakar Bagudu, disclosed this during a panel discussion on governance and budgeting at the ongoing 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.
The Minister of Budget and National planning, who led the panel explained that the focus of the administration has now shifted from stabilisation to inclusive economic growth, with renewed attention on poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and productivity across the federation.
“This administration believes in Nigeria and is committed to ensuring every region, including the North, benefits from national progress. It is not just a report of achievements, but a covenant of inclusive development. The Tinubu administration is inclusive, fair, and committed to promoting national unity, ” he explained.
Equitable representation
Bagudu, also stressed that the allegations of the north being marginalised were baseless, because President Tinubu had consistently shown his commitment to equitable representation across all the regions of the country.
“Those of us privileged to be part of this government are vigilant and committed to protecting the interests of the North. There is no systemic discrimination in this administration. Every part of the country is adequately represented in Tinubu’s team, and appointments have been based on merit, competence, and national character,” he stressed.
He further charged Northern Nigeria citizens not to rely on false narratives aimed at diving the regions against each other.
He noted that the Tinubu administration is focused on national development that benefits all Nigerians.
“President Tinubu inherited a struggling economy weighed down by multiple challenges, including an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime, forex distortions, dwindling reserves, and a high fiscal deficit. The Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration is designed to address these issues through a series of bold and necessary reforms aimed at stabilising the economy and driving inclusive growth,” he noted.
Positive results
According to the Minister, reforms such as fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, tax and revenue adjustments, and restoration of monetary discipline have already begun to yield positive results.
“There is significant increase in revenue allocations to states and local governments as one of the early outcomes of the reforms have improved the country’s fiscal position.
For instance, Adamawa received N9.76 billion in May 2023, but by June 2025, the same state received N22.73 billion due to improved revenue performance after subsidy removal,” he said.
While Bagudu reaffirmed that the Tinubu led government remained committed to building a secure, productive, and united Nigeria, where no region feels left behind or underrepresented.
He urged Northern leaders and communities to work with democratic institutions such as the National Assembly to ensure that their priorities were reflected in national planning and budget processes.
“This administration believes in Nigeria and is committed to ensuring every region, including the North, benefits from national progress. It is not just a report of achievements, but a covenant of inclusive development,” he said.
Decongestion
Also speaking at the panel, the Deputy Governor on Economic Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Muhammad Abdullahi, explained that the decongestion and early policy implemented by CBN was not to target or distabilise Northerners working in the apex bank.
“The bank was so crowded at the headquarters and jam-packed that there was no space; the limited space and exit routes in the building were converted to offices and hence not healthy for the workers.”
Due to the crowded and suffocating space, the insurance company expressed serious concern on securing the building with its insurance policy, hence the need for decongestion.
Meanwhile, there are ample spaces in the Bank’s offices in Lagos, Kaduna and other places that could absorb the large number of workers from the Headquarters.
Some of those staff taken to Lagos and Kaduna are now so happy that they don’t even want to come back to Abuja.
It is not an agenda against anybody. Also, the CBN has been practising early exit in the last 20 years. It is only done when the management at the top is very heavy,” he explained.
Wrong Narrative
He said that there was a misinformation and wrong narrative about 16 directors in the bank, which he said was unfortunate.
“Let me state here, that there are lot of directors who are from the Northern Region and currently working in the bank. People should stop listening to unpatriotic elements that spread fake news to misguide and incite the masses. The Son of Secretary to the Government of the Federation was moved out of Abuja to Lagos. Nobody was spared. It is a policy of the bank. People should please understand all these,” he stated.
According to the panel President, the Tinubu-led government remained committed to building a secure, productive, and united Nigeria, where no region feels left behind or underrepresented.
Lateefah Ibrahim