By Nkechi Eze
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned against actions capable of undermining the Federal Government’s ongoing economic transformation drive in Northern Nigeria, describing the region as central to Nigeria’s emergence as a dominant economic force in West and Central Africa.
In a statement made available by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Professor Yilwatda said the scale and coordination of investments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration reflect a deliberate strategy to reposition the North as a hub of productivity, trade, and industrial growth.
He noted that the region’s geographic advantage places it at the heart of cross-border commerce, with direct access to neighbouring countries including Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic, positioning it as a strategic gateway for regional integration and trade expansion.
According to him, “The vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Northern Nigeria goes beyond politics; it is a well-thought-out economic and developmental strategy aimed at unlocking the vast potential of the region. Within the lifetime of this administration, the North will emerge as a strong economic powerhouse.”
Professor Yilwatda highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects spanning roads, rail, energy, and agriculture, explaining that these interventions are designed to stimulate economic activity, reduce logistics costs, and improve connectivity between Northern production centres and national as well as international markets.
He stated that rail modernisation projects and road corridor expansions are expected to significantly boost trade competitiveness, while targeted investments in energy infrastructure will enhance power supply to industrial clusters and rural communities.
On agriculture, the APC National Chairman underscored the importance of revitalising value chains through irrigation systems, mechanisation, and agro-processing initiatives, noting that such measures would strengthen food security and position the region for export competitiveness under frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He further described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a transformative policy that would expand access to tertiary education for youths in the region, thereby building a skilled workforce capable of sustaining long-term economic growth.
“Education is the backbone of sustainable development. With NELFUND, the children of the North now have a clear pathway to tertiary education, regardless of their socio-economic background,” he said.
Addressing the nexus between agriculture, security, and economic revitalisation, Professor Yilwatda noted that improved security measures and targeted support for farmers are gradually restoring confidence in rural communities, leading to increased productivity.
He explained that the administration is prioritising large-scale farming, livestock development, access to financing, and the rehabilitation of dams and irrigation infrastructure to ensure sustainable agricultural output.
Calling for collective support, the APC chairman urged traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, and the business community to rally behind the administration’s agenda, warning that narrow political interests could derail the progress achieved so far.
“This is a defining moment for the North and for Nigeria. We must not allow narrow personal interests to truncate a historic opportunity for regional transformation,” he stated.
Professor Yilwatda also described President Tinubu as a resilient democrat with a longstanding commitment to national development, recalling his role in the pro-democracy struggle during the military era.
He expressed concern over what he termed the lack of cohesion within opposition ranks, questioning their capacity to manage national governance.
“They cannot organize or administer their own political parties, yet they aspire to lead a complex nation like Nigeria,” he said.
Reaffirming the commitment of the All Progressives Congress to delivering measurable results, Professor Yilwatda assured that the Northern development agenda remains on course.
“The North is on the path to renewal. With sustained support, visionary leadership, and collective responsibility, we will build a region that stands tall, not just within Nigeria, but across Africa,” he affirmed.
