President Bola Tinubu has declared that the development of Northern Nigeria remains fundamental to the nation’s prosperity.
Accordingly, the President unveiled a comprehensive youth development strategy spanning multiple key sectors to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Speaking during a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu invoked the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria.
“The late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was one of the towering giants on whose shoulders we have ascended as a nation. His vision was clear: the North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives,”he said.
The President warned that “Whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation. For far too long, we have been taunted as a nation with the most children out of school—a reality that should not elicit pride but provoke urgent action. This alarming statistic has turned the promise of our population into a challenge rather than the dividend it ought to be.”
President Tinubu re-echoed his administration’s pioneering youth development initiatives, including the three Three Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters.
“Our creative and digital economy is another goldmine,” the President said, outlining programmes such as the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
More Programmes
He listed other programmes including I’m including Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for higher education access, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) for digital entrepreneurship, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) for global market participation, Youth Enterprise Clusters for business development, and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme to address accommodation needs.
On agriculture, President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasised the North’s strategic importance, saying, “Investments in agriculture and industrialization will further position the North as Nigeria’s foremost agricultural hub.”
Youth Bank
The President also announced plans for a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank, describing them as crucial tools for providing financial and informational support to young Nigerians.
Addressing the region’s security challenges, President Tinubu further outlined measures “to restore stability to the North,” including “strengthening community policing, rehabilitating displaced persons, and addressing cross-border challenges like smuggling and insurgency.”
With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third-largest nation by 2050, he emphasized the urgency of the moment, just as he said, “By 2050, Nigeria will become the third-largest nation globally, with three-quarters of our citizens under the age of 21.
“Our challenge here is to engineer a transition towards a federation defined by order, stability, and safety,” he added, noting that “this task is both urgent and achievable.”
The President also made a direct challenge to young Nigerians saying: “You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present. Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programmes.”
He also emphasised the role of local government autonomy, stating that “for the dividends of democracy to reach every corner of our nation, we must empower local governments to serve as active pipelines of governance.
“Our commitment is to provide you with the skill set and opportunities to thrive in a competitive world,” President Tinubu further assured.
Former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mu’azu Aliyu, noted that the event marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary.
Dr Aliyu urged the government to take the recommendations from the discussions seriously for the progress and well-being of Northern Nigeria.
Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, stressed the critical role of youth education in national development.
The royal father further highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue with the youth, stating that “forums like this must be held continuously to dialogue with our youths across the northern states.”
Dominica Nwabufo
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