The Presidency has firmly rejected claims by former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is neglecting Northern Nigeria, insisting that the region remains a central focus in national development plans and infrastructure investments.
Kwankwaso, speaking on Thursday at a stakeholders’ dialogue in Kano, had accused the Tinubu-led government of disproportionately channeling national resources to the South — the President’s home region — while allegedly leaving Northern Nigeria under-resourced. He also alleged that most roads in the North remain in deplorable condition, even as the All Progressives Congress (APC) government allocates huge budgetary resources to infrastructure in the South.
But in a detailed response titled “Senator Kwankwaso, You Are Wrong. Northern Nigeria Not Left Behind,” the Presidency dismissed the allegations as unfounded and pointed to dozens of ongoing federal projects across the North.
“President Tinubu has the North covered,” the statement read. “The facts are clear, the projects are visible, and the North is not in any way neglected.”
According to the Presidency, within Tinubu’s first two years in office, over 40 major projects have been completed, approved, or are ongoing in Northern Nigeria, cutting across road, rail, energy, agricultural, and health sectors.
Among the highlighted projects are:
- Roads and Highways: “The reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Dual Carriageway, construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, and rehabilitation of major arteries like the Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway and Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road in Borno State.”
- Rail and Metro: “Projects include the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line, Kano–Maradi Railway, and a ₦100 billion allocation for the Kaduna Light Rail System, in addition to rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Line.”
- Energy and Gas: “The 614 km Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline, ABIBA Solar Power Plant in Kaduna, and the Gwagwalada Power Plant in Abuja are all aimed at powering Northern industries and households.”
On agriculture and environmental recovery, the statement listed:
- “$158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain Programme across nine northern states. The Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe.”
- “The World Bank–funded ACReSAL project, targeting restoration of 1 million hectares of degraded land in the North. Completion and operationalization of the Kano River Irrigation Project, supporting large-scale irrigation and food production.”
Healthcare development was also highlighted:
- “Expansion and funding of facilities like Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, and Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Yobe.”
- “Additional support to Jos University Teaching Hospital and revitalisation of about 1,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the region.”
The Presidency added that environmental efforts such as the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) and erosion control under NEWMAP are ongoing, while the Trans-Sahara Trade Route and inland waterways are being developed to boost commerce in northern corridors.
“All of these in only two years by President Tinubu,” the Presidency noted, challenging Kwankwaso and other critics to acknowledge these tangible achievements rather than “play regional politics.”
In conclusion, the Presidency stressed that the Tinubu administration remains committed to balanced national development and that Northern Nigeria is not — and will not be — left behind.
