Northern stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to increase funding for education and agriculture, describing both sectors as vital to tackling long-standing challenges in the region and driving national development.
The call was made at a two-day summit organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
The gathering brought together leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to assess the federal government’s performance and set strategic priorities for the development of Northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the summit’s close, the Foundation’s Director General, Engineer Abubakar Gambo Umar, delivered the communiqué.
He acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s achievements in areas such as security, infrastructure, and economic reform but stated that more needs to be done to deepen these reforms and ensure inclusive development.
A key demand from the summit was for urgent action to address the high number of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria.
Participants stressed that education remains the foundation for long-term security and prosperity.
The summit called for more substantial support in the agricultural sector to expand agrarian value chains and promote rural industrialisation. Stakeholders said these steps are essential to improving food security and creating jobs for the region’s growing population.
The communiqué also called for creating agro-animal industries to boost economic diversification and fast-tracking key infrastructure projects, such as roads, gas pipelines, and irrigation systems, to support both farming and broader development goals.
Engineer Umar stated that an equitable distribution of national resources is necessary to correct regional imbalances and ensure fairness and equality.
He added that consistent dialogue between citizens and government is critical for building trust and accountability at all levels.
The summit further recommended closer cooperation between federal and state governments and the involvement of civil society, traditional leaders, and religious groups in policy discussions.
Participants also emphasised the importance of responsible media practices that foster national unity and urged northern states to collaborate more closely in their interactions with the federal government.
The summit concluded that real progress for Nigeria depends on fairness, justice, and inclusive governance, emphasising that continued collaboration among all parties is the most effective path to a peaceful and united nation.
