The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congres (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has thrown his weight behind the Federal Government’s economic transformation agenda for Northern Nigeria, cautioning that political interference could jeopardise its success.
In a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Professor Yilwatda described the Tinubu administration’s initiatives as a well-structured, long-term strategy aimed at repositioning Northern Nigeria as a leading economic centre in West and Central Africa.
“The vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics; it represents a deliberate strategy to unlock the region’s vast economic potential,” Yilwatda said.
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“Before the end of this administration, the North is expected to emerge as a strong and competitive economic powerhouse.”
The APC chairman highlighted significant investments in transportation, energy, and agriculture as the cornerstone of the region’s anticipated transformation.
He noted that ongoing road expansion and rail modernisation projects would enhance connectivity between Northern states and major markets, thereby reducing transportation costs and boosting trade efficiency.
Improved power supply and agro-industrial programmes, he added, are expected to stimulate industrial growth, while expanded irrigation schemes and mechanised farming initiatives would increase food production and strengthen the region’s export capacity.
These efforts, according to Yilwatda, are aligned with Nigeria’s commitments under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning the North to tap into broader continental markets.
On human capital development, the APC leader praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a critical intervention. “Education remains the foundation of sustainable development.
NELFUND provides an opportunity for young people in the North to access tertiary education irrespective of financial constraints,” he stated. He emphasised that a skilled workforce would be essential to sustaining long-term economic growth.
Yilwatda also drew attention to renewed focus on agriculture, supported by improving security conditions in parts of the region.
Government efforts, he said, include large-scale farming, livestock development, and better access to financing for agribusinesses, alongside the rehabilitation of dams and irrigation systems.
He urged traditional institutions, youth groups, and the private sector to rally behind the administration’s development plans.
“This is a critical moment for Northern Nigeria. Collective effort is required to ensure that this opportunity for transformation is not lost,” he warned.
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The APC chairman cautioned against allowing personal political ambitions to derail progress and criticised opposition parties for their internal divisions.
“Their inability to manage their own affairs raises serious concerns about their capacity to govern effectively,” he remarked.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment, Professor Yilwatda expressed confidence that, with sustained collaboration, Northern Nigeria would achieve economic renewal and emerge as a major force not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
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