Stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria have commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what they described as “high and commendable” performance in the delivery of electoral promises, particularly in the areas of security, infrastructure, and economic reform.
The praise came at the conclusion of a two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) at Arewa House, Kaduna. Themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” the summit brought together top government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, academics, private sector actors, and development partners.
President Tinubu was represented by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, while Vice President Kashim Shettima was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar. Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, served as chief host, with the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum and Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, attending as Special Guest.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the National Security Adviser; heads of federal agencies; security chiefs from the North; and prominent leaders such as former Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu of the Arewa Consultative Forum.
In his keynote address, Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, former UN Permanent Representative, emphasized Nigeria’s resilience in confronting security and developmental challenges. He urged the North to articulate and negotiate its interests within the framework of holistic national development.
Over the two days, participants examined critical themes including national security, governance, economic growth, agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital development. Discussions reflected Northern Nigeria’s pivotal role in the country’s political and economic stability, as well as its decisive support in the 2023 elections.
At the end of the summit, participants made key observations and resolutions:
Key Observations:
The federal government has demonstrated openness to citizen dialogue.
Notable progress has been made in fulfilling electoral promises, especially in security and infrastructure.
The Almajiri crisis and rising number of out-of-school children remain pressing challenges in the North.
Major infrastructure projects—such as the AKK gas pipeline and Kolmani oil field—are progressing steadily.
Agricultural and rural industrialization hold the key to employment and food security.
Inclusive, non-kinetic security approaches are vital to long-term peace.
Key Resolutions:
Institutionalize regular government-citizen engagement platforms at both national and state levels.
Increase investment in education to tackle the out-of-school children crisis.
Accelerate infrastructural development and promote equitable resource distribution.
Support agricultural value chains, livestock development, and agro-allied industries for economic diversification.
Deepen collaboration between federal and state governments.
Engage civil society, traditional, and religious institutions in policy advocacy and public mobilization.
Promote responsible media practices to boost public trust and unity.
Foster stronger regional collaboration among Northern states.
The communique emphasized that Northern Nigeria acknowledges the strides made by the Tinubu administration while urging sustained commitment to equity, transparency, and inclusive governance. Stakeholders reaffirmed that national unity and democratic progress depend on continuous collaboration between government and the citizenry.
The communiqué was signed by Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Gambo Umar, Director General of SABMF, on behalf of all participants.
