The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned against any actions that could derail ongoing efforts to reposition Northern Nigeria as a major economic hub.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the strategic investments of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are aimed at transforming the North into a strong economic bloc and a model for development across West and Central Africa.
He noted that the scale and coordination of federal government interventions demonstrate a clear commitment to enhancing productivity, trade, infrastructure, and education in the region.
According to Yilwatda, Northern Nigeria’s geographic position gives it a competitive advantage as a gateway to neighbouring countries, including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. He said ongoing investments in roads, rail, agriculture, energy, and education would boost cross-border trade and strengthen regional integration.
“The vision for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics; it is a comprehensive economic strategy to unlock the region’s vast potential,” he said, adding that the region is expected to emerge as an economic powerhouse within the current administration’s tenure.
Yilwatda highlighted key infrastructure initiatives, including the expansion of major road networks, rail modernisation projects linking the North to ports and southern markets, and investments in power supply for industrial and rural communities. He also pointed to efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains through irrigation, mechanisation, and agro-processing.
He said the projects are part of a broader plan to integrate the region into global value chains and enhance its role under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On education, the APC chairman described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a major intervention to improve access to tertiary education, particularly for young people in the North. He said the initiative would remove financial barriers and help build a skilled workforce capable of driving long-term economic growth.
Yilwatda also linked agricultural development with improved security, noting that increased safety in rural communities is restoring confidence among farmers and boosting productivity. He said government priorities include large-scale farming, livestock development, access to finance, and the revitalisation of dams and irrigation systems.
He urged stakeholders across the region—including traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, and the business community—to support the administration’s development agenda. He also warned against “self-serving politicians” whose actions could undermine progress.
“This is a defining moment for the North and for Nigeria. Narrow personal interests must not be allowed to truncate this historic opportunity,” he said.
Yilwatda further praised President Tinubu’s democratic credentials, referencing his role in the struggle against military rule during the Sani Abacha military regime era.
He also criticised opposition parties, questioning their cohesion and capacity to govern, and warned that entrusting them with power could reverse national progress.
The APC chairman reiterated that the administration’s Northern development agenda is both genuine and far-reaching, expressing confidence that sustained support and effective implementation would deliver long-term prosperity for the region.
Comment here