Tinubu’s Vision for North Not Political — Yilwatda

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has said the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics, describing it as an economic and development strategy aimed at unlocking the region’s potential.

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He said the administration’s investments in Northern Nigeria are intended to support economic growth and development across the region.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said ongoing federal government interventions indicate efforts to reposition the North as a centre for productivity, trade, education, and infrastructure development.

He noted that Northern Nigeria, given its location and economic potential, could serve as a gateway to neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin.

Yilwatda said ongoing projects in roads, rail, agriculture, energy, and education are expected to support local economies, increase cross-border trade, and improve regional integration.

According to him, “the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics; it is an economic and development strategy aimed at unlocking the potential of the region.

“Within the lifetime of this administration, the North is expected to grow through infrastructure, human capital development, and investments.”

He listed projects including the expansion and rehabilitation of road networks linking Northern states to commercial centres, and rail modernisation projects connecting cities to ports and southern markets to reduce transport costs.

He also cited investments in energy infrastructure to improve power supply, and agricultural programmes focused on irrigation, mechanisation, and agro-processing.

Yilwatda said the projects form part of a broader national plan to integrate the North into global value chains and strengthen its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

On education, he referred to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a programme aimed at expanding access to tertiary education by reducing financial barriers for students.

“Education is important for development. With NELFUND, more students will have access to tertiary education regardless of their financial background,” he said.

He also spoke on agriculture, noting that government efforts include support for large-scale farming, livestock development, access to financing, and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure.

Yilwatda called on stakeholders in the region, including traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, and the business community, to support the administration’s policies.

He also criticised opposition parties, saying their internal challenges raise concerns about their ability to govern.

Yilwatda reiterated that the administration’s development plans for Northern Nigeria are ongoing and require continued support for implementation.