Yilwatda warns against derailing North’s economic renewal agenda

​Nentawe Yilwatda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, has cautioned against any actions capable of undermining what he described as the ongoing economic transformation agenda of Northern Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

​In a statement issued by Abimbola Tooki, his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Yilwatda said the federal government’s deliberate investments in the North are aimed at repositioning the region as a major economic hub within Nigeria and a competitive gateway for trade across West and Central Africa.

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​Strengthening regional integration and productivity

Yilwatda explained that ongoing interventions in roads, rail, agriculture, energy, and education are designed to strengthen productivity, expand infrastructure, and deepen regional integration with neighbouring countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the Benin Republic.

​According to Yilwatda, the North’s geographical advantage makes it central to Nigeria’s long-term economic diversification and cross-border commerce under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

​Yilwatda highlighted key projects including rail modernisation, road expansion, energy upgrades, and agricultural development initiatives such as irrigation schemes and agro-processing zones. He also commended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a transformative policy expanding access to higher education for Northern youths.

​On agriculture, Yilwatda stated that improved security and targeted federal support are restoring farming activities, boosting food production, and strengthening livestock and irrigation systems.

​Yilwatda urged Northern stakeholders to support the Tinubu administration while warning against “self-serving political interests” capable of derailing progress.

​The APC chairman’s comments emphasize the strategic importance of the region in the national economic framework and the need for unified political support to ensure the success of these initiatives.