President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, said although the North could not progress in isolation, Nigeria, too, could not prosper unless every part of her thrived.
Alluding to the vision of the former Sardauna of Sokoto, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tinubu said the nation's major challenge remained engineering a transition towards a federation defined by order, stability, and safety, adding that, the task was both urgent and achievable.
Speaking at a stakeholders' roundtable on Northern Youth Development organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja, the president unveiled a comprehensive youth development strategy, spanning multiple key sectors like tech, agric, and the creative sectors to drive the nation's economic transformation.
Represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu invoked the legacy of the late Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria.
"The late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, was one of the towering giants on whose shoulders we have ascended as a nation. His vision was clear: the North cannot progress in isolation, and Nigeria cannot prosper unless every part of this nation thrives.
"Our challenge here is to engineer a transition towards a federation defined by order, stability, and safety," he explained, noting further that "this task is both urgent and achievable," he said delivering his speech pegged on many issues.
Specifically addressing the northern region's security challenges, Tinubu outlined measures "to restore stability to the North," including "strengthening community policing, rehabilitating displaced persons, and addressing cross-border challenges like smuggling and insurgency."
With Nigeria projected to become the world's third-largest nation by 2050, he emphasised the urgency of the moment, adding: "By 2050, Nigeria will become the third-largest nation globally, with three-quarters of our citizens under the age of 21."
The president also made a direct challenge to young Nigerians, saying, "You are not just the future of this nation, you are its present. Your energy, ideas, and determination are already shaping our policies and programmes."
He emphasised the role of local government autonomy, stating that, "for the dividends of democracy to reach every corner of our nation, we must empower local governments to serve as active pipelines of governance.
"Our commitment is to provide you with the skill set and opportunities to thrive in a competitive world," Tinubu further assured.
The president, however, warned that, "Whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation.
"For far too long, we have been taunted as a nation with the most children out of school - a reality that should not elicit pride but provoke urgent action.
"This alarming statistic has turned the promise of our population into a challenge rather than the dividend it ought to be," he added.
Tinubu reechoed his administration's pioneering youth development initiatives, including the three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters.
"Our creative and digital economy is another goldmine," the president said, outlining programmes such as the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).
He listed other programmes to include the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for higher education access, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) for digital entrepreneurship, the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) for global market participation, Youth Enterprise Clusters for business development, and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme to address accommodation needs.
On agriculture, Tinubu emphasised North's strategic importance, saying, "Investments in agriculture and industrialisation will further position the North as Nigeria's foremost agricultural hub."
The president also announced plans for a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank, describing them as crucial tools for "providing financial and informational support" to young Nigerians.
He added that the administration's promise was "to unlock the potential of the Nigerian youth, ensuring that their dreams transform Nigeria into an enduring symbol of democracy, development, and progress."
Earlier, former Governor of Niger State and Chairman of the Foundation's Board of Trustees, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, noted that the event marked the Foundation's 15th anniversary.
"The youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the driving force of our present and our future. Addressing their concerns is paramount to the stability and progress of our society."
Aliyu urged the government to take the recommendations from the discussions seriously for the progress and well-being of Northern Nigeria.
"It is imperative that we approach these discussions with open minds and a collaborative spirit, recognising that the solutions we seek will require collective effort," Aliyu added.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Also speaking, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar II, emphasised the critical role of youth education in national development.
According to him, "Our youths are the foundation of any development we envisage in our society. They are not just leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today."
He highlighted the importance of continuous dialogue with the youth, stating that, "forums like this must be held continuously to dialogue with our youths across the northern states."
The Sultan emphasised the primacy of education, asserting that, "Education is the strongest legacy any leader can leave to society.
"Without education, you are a nobody. I believe in infrastructure development like roads and bridges but more money should be spent educating our children," he maintained.
Urging government to prioritise education, the Sultan said, "We must ensure that our children are educated. Education must be at the top of the priority of government.
"In Islam, if you don't even know how to pray and how to worship Allah; if you are an illiterate person, you cannot worship Allah. That is why education is very important. That is why we need to dwell more on how we can ensure that our children are educated."
