North’s development central to Nigeria’s prosperity, says President Tinubu

…targets tech, agric, and creative sectors in youth development plan

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared on Tuesday that the development of Northern Nigeria is critical to the nation’s overall prosperity.

He unveiled a comprehensive youth development strategy focused on key sectors to drive economic transformation across the region.

Speaking at the Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, the President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, invoked the legacy of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria.

“The late Sir Ahmadu Bello 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 the nation thrives,” President Tinubu stated.

He warned that any disruption to one region’s growth would ultimately affect the entire country.

“For far too long, we have been labeled as a nation with the most children out of school—a reality that should provoke urgent action rather than apathy. This alarming statistic has turned the promise of our population into a challenge instead of the dividend it ought to be,” he lamented.

The President highlighted several youth development initiatives under his administration, including the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters.

“Our creative and digital economy is another goldmine,” he noted, citing projects such as the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

Other initiatives include the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to enhance access to higher education, the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) for fostering digital entrepreneurship, and the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) for global market participation.

He also emphasized plans for Youth Enterprise Clusters to spur business growth and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme to address accommodation needs.

President Tinubu further highlighted the North’s strategic role as Nigeria’s agricultural hub. “Investments in agriculture and industrialization will strengthen the North’s position as the country’s foremost agricultural powerhouse,” he said.

To further support youth empowerment, he announced plans for a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank, describing them as vital tools for providing financial and informational support to young Nigerians.

Addressing security challenges in the region, the President outlined measures to restore stability, including community policing, rehabilitation of displaced persons, and tackling cross-border issues such as smuggling and insurgency.

“With Nigeria projected to become the world’s third-largest nation by 2050, we face an urgent challenge to engineer a federation defined by order, stability, and safety,” Tinubu stated.

He urged young Nigerians to take charge, declaring, “You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present. Your energy and ideas are already shaping our policies and programmes.”

The President also stressed the importance of local government autonomy, noting that empowering local governments would enable the delivery of democratic dividends to every corner of the nation.

“Our promise is to unlock the potential of Nigerian youth, ensuring that their dreams transform this nation into a beacon of democracy, development, and progress,” he assured.

Former Niger State Governor and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, noted that the event marked the Foundation’s 15th anniversary.

He emphasized the importance of youth empowerment, stating, “The youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of our present and future.”

Dr. Aliyu called on the government to implement the recommendations from the discussions, stressing that progress in Northern Nigeria requires collective effort.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, echoed the critical role of education in national development.

“Our youths are the foundation of any development we envision in our society. They are not just leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today,” the Sultan said.

He emphasized the importance of education, asserting that it is “the strongest legacy any leader can leave to society.”

“Without education, you are a nobody. While infrastructural development is essential, more resources must be allocated to educating our children,” he maintained.

The Sultan further urged the government to prioritize education, adding, “Education must be at the top of the government’s agenda. In Islam, if you don’t know how to pray or worship Allah due to illiteracy, you cannot fulfill your religious obligations. That’s why education is indispensable.”