By PulseDaily Newsroom

Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has declared that Northern Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges are the result of elite complacency, institutional neglect, and decades of misguided policies, not merely the failures of the current administration.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day Interactive Session on Government-Citizens’ Engagement at Arewa House, Kaduna, Aliyu noted that while President Bola Tinubu’s administration inherited several problems, Northern political and intellectual leaders must also take responsibility.“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,”

Aliyu said. The engagement, convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, aimed to deepen inclusive governance by fostering structured dialogue between policymakers and citizens across Northern Nigeria. Aliyu highlighted insurgency, banditry, poverty, youth unemployment, the alarming number of out-of-school children, and porous borders as pressing issues. He warned that the widening gap between governments and the people is fueling public mistrust and frustration.

He stressed the need for institutionalized town hall-style meetings nationwide, citing global models where civic engagement has successfully shaped policies and strengthened democratic systems.

“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.

Aliyu condemned the decades-long delay of key projects like the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project and the Baro Inland Port, describing them as “frauds,” and called for urgent completion.

Northern leaders press Tinubu for action

Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Board of Trustees, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, urged President Tinubu to prioritise Northern development, noting that the region contributed 5.6 million votes out of the 8.8 million that brought him to power.

Dalhatu revealed that Northern leaders had presented key demands to Tinubu on May 30, 2024, including improved security, revitalised agriculture, enhanced education, and investments in energy and infrastructure.

“Our advocacy has been peaceful and well-intentioned. We aim to support the President in delivering on his promises—especially to Northern communities still plagued by insecurity and poverty,” Dalhatu said.

Calls for stronger federal presence in the North

Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, pressed for more investment in education, decrying the North’s disproportionate share of Nigeria’s 20 million out-of-school children.

“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,” Abdullahi stated.

He criticised the state of road infrastructure in the North-East and raised concerns over recent developments at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including relocating departments to Lagos and what he described as skewed leadership appointments.

Abdullahi also called for agro-allied industries to be strategically located in Northern Nigeria to harness its agricultural potential.

The interactive session ended with a strong call for continuous dialogue between government and citizens to bridge the trust gap, promote inclusion, and drive sustainable development in the region.