Tinubu’s 2025 Plan: Fair Growth or Northern Neglect Concerns?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to ensure equitable development across all regions of Nigeria, with a particular focus on addressing concerns of neglect raised by Northern leaders. Speaking at a two-day government-citizens engagement session in Kaduna, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Tinubu outlined his administration’s achievements under the Renewed Hope Agenda. However, critics, including the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal, argue that the North remains marginalized. This article examines Tinubu’s promises, regional concerns, and the broader implications for Nigeria’s development in 2025.

Represented by SGF Senator George Akume, President Tinubu highlighted progress in critical areas under the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing a commitment to inclusive growth. Key initiatives include:

• Economic Reforms: Unifying the exchange rate and restructuring debt profiles to stabilize and grow the economy. The removal of fuel subsidies, though controversial, has saved trillions of Naira, redirected to infrastructure and human development.

• Security: Investments in modernizing security equipment and upskilling personnel have led to a decline in Boko Haram and bandit attacks. Over 11,259 hostages were rescued by May 2025, with 300 bandit and terrorist commanders neutralized in the North-West.

• Infrastructure: Major projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Kano-Maradi rail, and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail are underway. The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway and Kaduna Refinery rehabilitation are also prioritized.

• Education: Over 400,000 students have benefited from the Students’ Loan Programme, with N53 billion disbursed to support tertiary education.

• Agriculture: Modernizing farming practices and expanding market access aim to achieve food security and position Nigeria as an agricultural powerhouse.

• Healthcare and Social Investment: Palliative measures, MSME support, and public transportation upgrades are mitigating the impact of economic reforms.

Tinubu emphasized that these efforts align with the principles of good governance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity moving beyond campaign rhetoric to deliver tangible results.

Northern governors, led by Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, reaffirmed their support for Tinubu. Yahaya cited the North’s significant electoral contribution (over 60% of votes in 2023) and highlighted ongoing projects as evidence of progress:

• Infrastructure: The Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, Kolmani Oilfields drilling, and proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

• Security: Improved military coordination has reduced insecurity, with notable success in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina.

• Agriculture and Education: The Ministry of Livestock Development addresses herder-farmer conflicts, while grants and partnerships tackle the out-of-school children crisis, with 80% of Nigeria’s 20 million out-of-school children residing in the North.

Yahaya urged stakeholders to complement federal efforts with local initiatives, emphasizing that the Renewed Hope Agenda is yielding results and deserves continued support ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite these assurances, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and former SGF Babachir Lawal have voiced strong concerns about perceived neglect of Northern Nigeria. ACF Chairman Alhaji Bashir M. Dalhatu highlighted:

• Infrastructural Neglect: Only N24 billion of the N1.013 trillion allocated to roads in 2025 went to the North-East, with no major highways completed in the North in two decades.

• Budgetary Disparities: The South-West received N1.394 trillion for infrastructure, compared to N105 billion for the North-West and N30 billion for the North-East.

• Insecurity: Persistent terrorism, banditry, and kidnappings demand stronger action, with youth unemployment and poverty as root causes.

• Power and Industry: Stalled projects like the Mambilla Hydro Dam and Ajaokuta Steel Plant hinder economic growth. The North’s economy suffers from unreliable electricity.

• Education Crisis: Over 80% of Nigeria’s out-of-school children are in the North, necessitating urgent reforms like relaunching the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme.

Lawal echoed these sentiments, stating, “No infrastructure work is going on at any level in the North,” and defended Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s earlier criticisms of marginalization. Both leaders called for a standing ACF-FGN Contact Committee to improve communication and address these disparities.

Other regions also expressed concerns about equitable development:

• Pan-Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF): The South-South, a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas revenue, feels unfairly treated. Issues include underrepresentation in federal appointments, limited employment opportunities in agencies like NNPC, and the dilapidated East-West road.

• Middle Belt Forum (MBF): MBF President Dr. Bitrus Pogu questioned the feasibility of Tinubu’s promises, citing economic challenges and limited visible progress outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

• Ohanaeze Ndigbo: The Igbo socio-cultural organization advocated for restructuring to reduce Abuja dependency and stimulate economic vibrancy in federating units.

These perspectives highlight a broader call for fairness and decentralization to ensure balanced development across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

While Tinubu’s administration has made strides in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms, challenges remain:

• Economic Hardship: The removal of fuel subsidies and exchange rate liberalization have caused short-term pain, despite palliative measures.

• Regional Disparities: Budgetary and project allocations favor certain regions, fueling perceptions of marginalization.

• Insecurity: While progress has been made, ongoing banditry and terrorism require sustained action.

• Education and Unemployment: The North’s education crisis and youth unemployment demand long-term solutions.

To address these, Tinubu’s administration must prioritize transparent communication, equitable resource allocation, and accelerated project implementation. The proposed ACF-FGN Contact Committee could bridge the gap between the government and Northern stakeholders.

President Tinubu’s pledge for equitable development in 2025 is a bold commitment, but its success hinges on addressing regional concerns and delivering on promises. While the Renewed Hope Agenda has shown progress in security, infrastructure, and education, criticisms of Northern marginalization and disparities in other regions highlight the need for a more inclusive approach. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, Tinubu’s ability to balance regional interests and drive sustainable growth will be critical. Citizens and stakeholders must engage constructively to ensure the vision of a united, prosperous Nigeria becomes reality.