Nigeria’s federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating development in the country’s Northern Region through policies targeting security, agriculture, and governance. The pledge was delivered by Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris during a two-day government-citizen dialogue in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, a group focused on promoting regional development and unity.
Speaking at the event themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizens Engagement for National Unity,” Idris emphasized President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to prioritize initiatives addressing long-standing challenges in the North. He noted that Tinubu had outlined these commitments during pre-election engagements with regional leaders in 2022, citing security, economic diversification, and inclusive governance as focal points. “The President has already fulfilled many promises, while others are ongoing. By the end of his first term, we aim to address most concerns raised by citizens,” Idris stated, describing the administration’s current phase as its “midterm.”
The event saw over 60 senior officials from Northern Nigeria—appointed under Tinubu’s government—participate in direct discussions with community leaders and residents. Idris framed the dialogue as part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency, calling the gathering “unprecedented” in scale. “This marks the first time such a high number of ministers have engaged citizens in this format. It will not be a one-off exercise,” he added, signaling plans for regular follow-up sessions.
Attendees at the forum included representatives from defense, security, and economic sectors, who presented updates on the administration’s progress. Day one focused on national security—a critical issue in Northern Nigeria, where armed groups and intercommunal violence have destabilized communities—while day two addressed economic reforms and governance. Officials highlighted agricultural investments, job creation programs, and infrastructure projects as areas of advancement.
Idris pointed to “visible optimism” among participants as evidence of growing public trust. However, he acknowledged ongoing challenges, urging patience as policies take effect. Analysts view the dialogue as a strategic step to address regional disparities, with the North historically lagging in development indicators compared to Nigeria’s southern states.
The Tinubu administration, which took office in May 2023, has faced scrutiny over economic reforms like fuel subsidy removal, which exacerbated inflation. The Kaduna event underscores efforts to balance national reforms with targeted regional interventions, particularly in agriculture and security—a sector where the government recently approved increased funding for military operations.
