“Hope Is Not Lost”: Tinubu Pledges Security Reset, Economic Rebirth for the North.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s firm commitment to eradicating terrorism and banditry across Northern Nigeria, stressing that no part of the country will be abandoned to violence or instability. Speaking through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, the President noted that the complexity of the security crisis inherited by his government was extensive, but insisted that his resolve to restore peace remains unwavering.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

He described the current state of the North as one of the most challenging periods in its history, marked by a breakdown of communal values and a weakening of the moral foundations that once unified its diverse communities. He maintained that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful progress when a critical part of its national structure is distressed, emphasising that the region’s stability is essential for national prosperity.

The President expressed confidence that the North is poised for economic revival, citing the expected commencement of crude oil production from the Kolmani fields and other emerging petroleum prospects across the region. He commended the ACF for consistently serving as the voice of reason and a guardian of the region’s collective integrity for the past 25 years, describing the body as a gathering of statesmen, thinkers and custodians of Northern interests.

He noted that the ACF’s founding fathers anticipated difficult national moments and established an institution capable of advocating for the hopes and aspirations of millions. Tinubu emphasised that the region’s future success will depend more on the strength of its institutions than on the influence of individual leaders.

Addressing the gathering, the President stated that he attended in the spirit of national duty, not merely as a son of the region, urging Northern leaders to embrace selflessness and uphold accountability. He warned that leadership failure begins when those in authority ignore the suffering of ordinary citizens or grow complacent while insecurity forces people to travel in fear and live in hunger.

Tinubu insisted that despite years of dysfunction that weakened trust and widened divisions, hope remains alive. He said the cultural and religious diversity displayed at the event demonstrates the region’s readiness to rebuild unity and overcome longstanding divisions. According to him, meaningful progress will remain elusive unless communities restore trust, as insecurity, economic stagnation and educational decline thrive in environments lacking social cohesion.

Highlighting key achievements of his administration, the President listed accelerated road, rail and river transport initiatives across the North, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Superhighway, which he said would be completed and inaugurated soon in Kano. He also endorsed the proposed ACF Endowment Fund, describing it as a forward-thinking initiative aimed at promoting girl-child education, youth empowerment, peacebuilding and conflict resolution—priorities aligned with the national development agenda.

Tinubu called on Northern political, traditional and civil society leaders to recommit to the ideals of courage, fairness, justice and collective responsibility that inspired the formation of the ACF. He cautioned that unity remains the region’s most valuable asset; without it, security efforts will falter, economic prospects will diminish and political influence will weaken. With unity, he maintained, the region can overcome any challenge.

He concluded by urging the ACF to continue serving as the region’s moral anchor, expressing confidence that the North possesses the capacity to restore stability, rebuild its economy and remain a strong pillar of Nigeria’s collective advancement.