Kehinde Fajobi
The Northern Governors Forum has raised concerns that economic hardship is affecting Nigerians more severely in the northern region than in the South, citing the region’s wider economic inequality.
During a meeting with northern traditional rulers in Kaduna, Gombe State Governor and forum chairman, Inuwa Yahaya, stressed the urgent need for interventions to ease these challenges.
Governor Yahaya highlighted recent “End Bad Governance” protests as a “wake-up call” for leaders, particularly in addressing youth restiveness driven by poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment.
He emphasised that it is essential to create social welfare programmes, support small and medium businesses, and implement policies that attract investment to provide opportunities for the northern youth.
“The economic hardship faced by many Nigerians today is undeniable, and considering the North-South disparity in economic inequality, it is even more pronounced in northern Nigeria. This calls for urgent intervention,” he said.
“Our young people are calling for change, and it is our responsibility to listen and act,” Yahaya stated. “We must scale up efforts to tackle the root causes of youth restiveness by investing in education, skills development, and job creation.”
Acknowledging the infrastructure issues, he said, “Most of our northern states are in darkness due to vandalised transmission infrastructure. This not only underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure but also the need to build additional transmission lines and diversify our energy supply to improve our energy resilience.” Yahaya further noted that the region’s immense agricultural potential could reduce hunger and boost growth if fully utilised.
In terms of addressing the region’s security challenges, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State affirmed that the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers Council would work collaboratively. He commended President Bola Tinubu for stepping up the fight against terrorism and banditry, with initiatives such as the Joint Military Command and Operation Fansan Yamma.
“The federal government’s actions reflect a commitment to tackling the multidimensional security challenges of the North,” Sani said.
Governor Yahaya also extended condolences to victims of terrorism, recent flooding in Maiduguri, and a tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, pledging ongoing support and relief efforts in collaboration with the federal government and relevant agencies.