By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned against actions capable of undermining ongoing efforts to reposition Northern Nigeria as a major economic hub, insisting that the development drive under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deliberate, strategic and transformative.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the scale and coordination of federal interventions across the North demonstrate a clear commitment to unlocking the region’s economic potential and strengthening its role within the sub-region.
He noted that the administration’s investments in infrastructure, agriculture, energy and education are designed to transform Northern Nigeria into a centre of productivity, trade and human capital development, with the capacity to serve as a gateway to neighbouring countries including Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin.
According to him, the ongoing infrastructure programme, covering road expansion, rail modernisation and energy development, will enhance connectivity, reduce the cost of transportation and improve access to markets, thereby boosting trade competitiveness and regional integration.
Yilwatda said the initiatives are part of a broader national strategy aimed at integrating the North into global value chains while strengthening its participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
He also highlighted the role of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), describing it as a critical intervention to expand access to tertiary education, particularly for youths from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme, he said, would help build a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation and long-term economic growth in the region.
On agriculture, the APC chairman pointed to renewed federal focus on large-scale farming, livestock development and irrigation systems, noting that improved security and targeted support for farmers are gradually restoring confidence in rural communities.
He added that these measures are expected to enhance food security and position the region as a major exporter of agricultural produce.
Yilwatda, however, warned that political instability and what he described as self-serving ambitions could derail the progress being recorded.
He urged stakeholders across the region, including traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups and the business community, to support the administration’s development agenda.
He described President Tinubu as a committed democrat with a longstanding record of supporting national development, adding that the administration’s policies reflect inclusive leadership and a clear vision for economic transformation.
The APC chairman also criticised opposition elements, accusing them of lacking cohesion and the capacity to manage internal affairs, a situation he said raises questions about their readiness to govern.
He maintained that the administration’s Northern development agenda remains unprecedented in scope and impact, expressing confidence that sustained implementation would deliver tangible benefits and secure long-term prosperity for the region.
“The North is on the path to renewal,” Yilwatda said, adding that collective commitment and unity of purpose would be critical to achieving the envisioned transformation.
