Tinubu’s northern plan to boost economy, trade- Yilwatda

Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), , has said that ongoing federal government investments in Northern Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu are aimed at transforming the region into a major economic hub for Nigeria and neighbouring countries in West and Central Africa.

In a detailed statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda described the administration’s policies as deliberate, coordinated, and long-term in nature, with a focus on repositioning the North as a centre for trade, agriculture, education, and infrastructure-driven development.

He said the Tinubu administration is pursuing what he called a “strategic economic renewal agenda” designed to unlock the North’s potential, given its size, population, and geographic proximity to Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic.

According to him, this positioning gives the region a natural advantage as a gateway for regional commerce and integration.

Infrastructure as the Backbone of Development

Yilwatda highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects as central to the government’s vision. These include major road rehabilitation and expansion projects linking Northern states to commercial corridors, as well as rail modernisation efforts designed to connect Northern cities with southern ports to improve trade logistics and reduce transportation costs.

He also pointed to investments in energy infrastructure aimed at boosting electricity supply for both rural communities and industrial clusters, describing power as essential for economic competitiveness.

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In agriculture, he said the government is developing irrigation systems, agro-processing zones, and mechanisation programmes to strengthen value chains and ensure food security while positioning the region for export opportunities within Africa.

“These interventions are not isolated projects but part of a unified national strategy to integrate Northern Nigeria into global value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he said.

Education and Human Capital Development

The APC chairman also emphasised the role of education in the administration’s development plan, describing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a “landmark intervention” that will expand access to higher education for young people in the North.

He explained that the scheme is designed to remove financial barriers that have historically limited access to tertiary education, ensuring that students from low-income backgrounds are not excluded from academic opportunities.

According to him, the programme will produce a more skilled and competitive workforce capable of driving innovation and long-term economic growth.

“Education remains the backbone of sustainable development. With NELFUND, young people across the North now have a clearer pathway to higher education regardless of their background,” he stated.

Yilwatda further said that renewed federal attention to the sector, combined with improved security measures, is helping to restore confidence in rural farming communities.

He outlined key priorities including large-scale farming, livestock development, modern ranching systems, improved access to financing for farmers, and the rehabilitation of dams and irrigation infrastructure.

He said these efforts are aimed not only at achieving food security but also at making the North a major exporter of agricultural products to neighbouring countries.

The APC chairman called on traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, business stakeholders, and civil society organisations in the North to support the Tinubu administration’s agenda, warning against what he described as “self-serving political interests” that could derail progress.

He said Nigeria is at a critical moment that requires unity and collective commitment to ensure the success of ongoing reforms and development initiatives.

“This is a defining moment for the North and for Nigeria. We must not allow narrow personal interests to undermine a historic opportunity for transformation,” he said.

Yilwatda also praised President Tinubu, describing him as a “resilient democrat” with a long history of political struggle and commitment to national development dating back to the military era.

He argued that the President’s policies reflect inclusive leadership and a strong vision for national growth.

In contrast, he criticised opposition parties, accusing them of lacking internal cohesion and the capacity to govern effectively.