President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s dedication to advancing Northern Nigeria, highlighting its essential role in the overall prosperity of the nation.
At a Stakeholder Roundtable focused on youth development in the North, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscored the importance of unity among Nigeria’s regions.
He referenced the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria, as a guiding influence for current progress.
“The North cannot thrive on its own, and Nigeria as a whole cannot flourish unless every region is successful,” Tinubu stated. “Any disruption to one area hampers the growth of the entire country.”
In addressing the critical issue of out-of-school children, President Tinubu described the situation as a significant concern. “This troubling statistic has transformed the potential of our population into a burden rather than the benefit it should be,” he remarked.
Tinubu introduced a comprehensive range of youth-centric programs aimed at fostering development, including a 3 million technical talent initiative, a presidential program for youth enterprise clusters, the skill-up artisans program, the Nigerian Youth Academy, and the National Youth Talent Export Programme.
Additional initiatives mentioned by the president include the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, investments in digital and creative sectors, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative, and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
Acknowledging the North’s critical position as Nigeria’s agricultural center, Tinubu stressed the necessity of investing in agriculture and industrialization to drive economic development. “The North has the potential to be Nigeria’s leading agricultural hub, significantly contributing to our food security,” he asserted.
Furthermore, President Tinubu addressed security concerns by emphasizing the importance of enhancing community policing, rehabilitating displaced persons, and tackling cross-border issues such as smuggling and insurgency.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering local governments to improve service delivery across the country.
With projections indicating that Nigeria will become the world’s third-largest nation by 2050, Tinubu highlighted the urgent need to invest in the youth. “By 2050, three-quarters of Nigeria’s population will be under 21. Our task is to guide the country towards a federation marked by order, stability, and security,” he explained.
He also unveiled plans to create a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank to provide financial and informational resources for young Nigerians.
“You are not just the future; you are the present of this nation,” Tinubu declared to the youth, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping national policies and initiatives.
