The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has formally accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of sidelining Northern Nigeria in federal budgetary allocations, appointments, and infrastructure development, despite the region’s overwhelming support during the 2023 elections.
At a high‑level interactive session held in Kaduna under the auspices of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu, Chairman of ACF’s Board of Trustees, voiced strong concerns about what he described as “growing marginalisation” of the North under the Tinubu presidency.
He noted that Northern voters contributed over 64% of Tinubu’s total votes in the 2023 presidential election.
Budgetary Disparities and Project Exclusion
Dalhatu highlighted alarming disparities in federal infrastructure funding:
Of the ₦1.013 trillion allocated for roads in the 2025 federal budget, only ₦24 billion—under 1%—was directed to the North East, while the South‑West alone received ₦1.394 trillion, South‑East ₦205 billion, and North‑West ₦105 billion.
Critical infrastructure projects in the North, including strategic roads, rail lines, and industrial developments like the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Kolmani oil fields, the Mambilla Hydroelectric Dam, and the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline, have either stalled or been completely neglected .
Agriculture and Economic Erosion
Agriculture, a core pillar of Northern Nigeria’s economy, has reportedly received less than 5% of national budget allocations over the past two years—far below the 25% threshold recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
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Dalhatu also criticised government approval of duty‑free food imports, stating that the policy has devastated local agro‑industries, particularly rice mills.
Insecurity and Social Crises
Dalhatu expressed alarm over soaring insecurity across the region, citing terrorism, banditry, and widespread kidnappings. He urged coherent and sustained presidential action, focusing on youth poverty and unemployment as root causes.
On education and healthcare, he flagged systemic neglect, North holds over 80% of Nigeria’s out-of-school population yet continues to receive minimal attention in policy and funding priorities.
Federal Government’s Response
Northern governors and federal officials countered ACF’s criticisms, pointing to several projects underway. Governor Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, highlighted ongoing works including the Abuja‑Kaduna‑Kano Expressway, the Kano‑Katsina‑Maradi rail line, the Abuja–Kano gas pipeline, and rehabilitation of the Kaduna Oil Refinery. He also emphasized over 300 bandit and terrorist commanders neutralised in recent months, and the launch of ministries and initiatives aimed at livestock, youth empowerment, student loans, and education reform .
Meanwhile, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna reiterated his confidence in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to improvements in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and security under federal support .
Broader Criticisms from ACF
Beyond infrastructure and security, the ACF has consistently criticised the federal government for diverting attention and resources toward early 2027 re-election preparations for President Tinubu, while glaring national challenges remain unaddressed. The Forum condemned reckless budget insertions, such as proposed streetlight projects costing over ₦260 million each, calling them insensitive to public hardship .
What’s at Stake?
Despite delivering a decisive electoral mandate, the Northern region complains of disproportionate exclusion from federal resources and influence.
Strategic national projects essential for the North’s socio-economic uplift remain stalled or ignored.
Insecurity and poverty continue to fester, as do youth unemployment and educational deficits.
ACF warns continued neglect may reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
