On July 29–30, 2025, Northern leaders convened at the historic Arewa House in Kaduna to address a pressing issue: the alleged marginalization of the region. Organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), the two-day summit, themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” assessed the progress of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, praising its performance while emphasizing the need for urgent regional reforms.
The summit brought together influential leaders, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, Northern Governors’ Forum Chairman Inuwa Yahaya, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume, SABMF Chairman Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who hosted the event.
The discussions culminated in the Federal Government’s announcement of a committee to examine and respond to the North’s demands, marking a significant step in addressing the region’s concerns.
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Summit Highlights and Key Demands
The summit’s communique acknowledged progress in Tinubu’s administration while calling for targeted investments to address critical challenges.
“Substantial investment in education to resolve the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North, is critical,” the communique emphasized.
Participants also demanded the revival of key projects, including the Mambilla Hydro Dam, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, and the Ajaokuta Steel Project, to drive economic growth.
Education remained a cornerstone of the discussions, with Northern leaders highlighting that over 80% of Nigeria’s 20 million out-of-school children are from the region. The summit called for the relaunch of the Universal Basic Education scheme and mass teacher training programs to address this crisis.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya stressed accountability, stating, “The North gave President Tinubu over 60% of the votes that brought him to power. That support must be matched with expectations and accountability.”
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Regional Influence and Political Strategy
The North’s influence on national policy was evident during the summit. Recent tax reforms signed into law on June 26, 2025, were shaped significantly by Northern advocacy. These reforms include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
The revised VAT distribution formula, designed to reflect regional equity, was largely driven by Northern leaders. The laws also introduced a 4% Development Levy to fund education and security, aligning with the North’s priorities.
Despite these gains, the summit underscored internal disparities within the region and the need to convert political capital into tangible progress in areas like infrastructure, security, and youth empowerment.
Governor Uba Sani highlighted the importance of collaboration, stating, *“No president, however visionary, can solve the North’s problems without active collaboration from state governments, traditional leaders, and communities.”*
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Federal Appointments and Controversy
Ironically, while the North demanded greater attention, recent federal appointments suggest the region already wields significant political influence. Northerners currently occupy 60% of key advisory positions in federal institutions. These include:
– Mustapha Salihu – Chairman, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (Adamawa)
– Abubakar Maikafi – Chairman, Sheda Science and Technology Complex (Bauchi)
– Nasiru Gawuna– Chairman, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (Kano)
– Garba Datti Muhammad– Chairman, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Kaduna)
– Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar– Chairman, National Steel Council (Nasarawa)
These appointments, while beneficial to the North, highlight broader issues of regional equity. Despite their perceived advantage, Northern leaders have used platforms like the Kaduna summit to press for long-term socioeconomic development.
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Comparisons to Other Regions
The summit’s outcomes have reignited debates over Nigeria’s uneven governance landscape. The Southeast and South-South have long complained of underrepresentation in federal appointments and neglect of infrastructure, yet their calls for attention rarely elicit the same urgency from the Federal Government.
The Tinubu administration’s swift response to the Kaduna summit—through the establishment of a committee—underscores the North’s political weight. By contrast, similar demands from other regions often go unnoticed, revealing a stark imbalance in influence.
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Beyond the Tax Reforms: A Strategic Victory
The Kaduna summit’s significance extends beyond its influence on tax reforms. The newly announced federal committee is tasked with addressing economic, security, and political representation challenges in the North. While some view this as a genuine step toward reform, others see it as a symbolic gesture to pacify the region.
The committee’s success will depend on its ability to deliver on key demands, including the revival of critical infrastructure projects and addressing the education crisis. However, the absence of comparable federal initiatives for other regions further underscores the North’s strategic advantage.
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The Road Ahead
The Kaduna summit has set a precedent for regional advocacy, combining diplomatic critique with strategic demands. The North’s ability to mobilize unified leadership and influence national policy highlights its dominance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
However, the event also raises critical questions about equity and national unity. The imbalance in political appointments and the uneven response to regional demands reveal systemic disparities.
The success of the federal committee and the implementation of tax reforms will be key indicators of whether the North’s demands translate into tangible improvements. Meanwhile, other regions may look to the Kaduna summit as a blueprint for asserting their own interests in an increasingly competitive political environment.
For Nigeria, the challenge remains clear: achieving balanced development and inclusivity in governance to foster true national unity.
