The Traffic

"Tinubu: Northern Development Key to Nigeria’s Success, Youths Are Our Present and Future"

By Achimi Muktari

Abuja—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has underscored the critical importance of Northern Nigeria’s development, declaring it a cornerstone for the nation’s overall prosperity. Speaking at a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, Tinubu unveiled an ambitious roadmap targeting youth empowerment, economic transformation, and regional stability.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President invoked the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria, as a guiding inspiration.

“The North Cannot Prosper in Isolation”

President Tinubu, through a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, emphasized that Nigeria’s progress is interconnected.

"The late Sir Ahmadu Bello was a towering giant on whose shoulders we stand today. His vision was clear: the North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives," he said.

The President called for urgent action to address the North’s alarming number of out-of-school children, a statistic he described as a significant challenge to the nation’s potential.

Bold Youth-Focused Initiatives

Highlighting his administration’s youth-centric agenda, Tinubu unveiled several initiatives aimed at driving economic transformation. These include:

3Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme: To harness technical skills.

Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) and Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA): Focused on vocational and entrepreneurial training.

National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP): Targeted at creating global opportunities for Nigerian talents.

Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): To make higher education more accessible.

Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE): Supporting digital entrepreneurship.

Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI): Promoting participation in the global outsourcing market.

The President also announced the establishment of a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank to provide financial and informational resources to Nigerian youths.

Positioning the North as an Agricultural Hub

President Tinubu further stressed Northern Nigeria’s strategic importance in agriculture, pledging significant investments to solidify the region as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse.

"Agriculture and industrialization are essential to unlocking the North's potential and driving Nigeria’s food security," he noted.

Security and Stability

Addressing Northern Nigeria’s security challenges, Tinubu outlined measures to restore stability, including:

Strengthening community policing.

Rehabilitating displaced persons.

Tackling cross-border challenges such as smuggling and insurgency.

He emphasized that peace and stability in the North are vital for the region’s development and the nation’s overall progress.

“Youth Are Not Just the Future—They Are the Present”

In a direct appeal to Nigerian youths, the President challenged them to take ownership of their roles in shaping the nation.

"You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present. Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programmes," Tinubu declared.

Voices from the Event

Former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, emphasized the importance of prioritizing youth development.

"The youth are the driving force of our present and future. Addressing their concerns is paramount to the stability and progress of our society," Aliyu said.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar II, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the role of education and continuous engagement with the youth.

"Our youths are the foundation of any development we envisage. Forums like this must be held continuously to dialogue with our youths across the northern states," the Sultan said.

Conclusion

With these comprehensive strategies and initiatives, President Tinubu has signaled his administration’s commitment to transforming Northern Nigeria into a hub of opportunity and stability. The focus on youth empowerment further underscores the government’s recognition of young Nigerians as key drivers of the nation’s growth.