Former Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed concern over the rising insecurity and bloodshed in northern Nigeria, stating that the region is facing a crisis that requires immediate attention as a national emergency. Speaking at the Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit 2025, organised by the Northern Elders Forum in Abuja, Dogara emphasized that the situation has gone beyond ordinary socio-political concerns, citing the high level of bloodletting in the region.

Dogara, who was a panelist at the summit, noted that the insecurity and poverty in the region have reached catastrophic levels, and if left unaddressed, could hinder Nigeria’s overall progress. He stressed that the development of northern Nigeria is crucial to the country’s growth, as the region is home to a large population. “The development of northern Nigeria is not a regional prerogative, it must be seen as a national emergency,” he said.

The former Speaker urged northern leaders and citizens to take charge of their own destiny, rather than relying on external solutions. He called for radical and transformative action to address the crisis, saying that “help is not coming from anywhere, we must take our destiny into our own hands.” Dogara’s comments come as northern Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment, which have led to a decline in economic activity and a rise in social unrest.

The Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit 2025 aims to explore ways to promote investment and industrialization in northern Nigeria, with a focus on addressing the region’s developmental challenges. Dogara’s remarks highlight the need for urgent action to address the crisis in the region, which has significant implications for Nigeria’s overall stability and growth. As the country continues to navigate its economic and security challenges, the need for collective action to address the crisis in northern Nigeria has become increasingly important.