The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has warned against actions that could derail the North’s economic renewal agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, and made available to thequickpr.com, Professor Yilwatda reaffirmed that the federal government’s investments in Northern Nigeria are designed to transform the region into a major economic power.
According to Yilwatda, the scale and intentionality of ongoing interventions demonstrate clear commitment to repositioning the North as a hub of productivity, trade, education, and infrastructure-driven growth.
“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,” the APC Chairman stated.
He emphasized that within the lifetime of this administration, the North will emerge as a strong economic powerhouse driven by infrastructure, human capital development, and strategic investments.
Yilwatda highlighted major ongoing projects critical to the North’s transformation. These include expansion of road corridors linking Northern states to commercial hubs, rail modernization connecting Northern cities to ports, and strategic energy investments improving power supply to industrial clusters and rural communities.
The Chairman also noted agricultural value chain development through irrigation projects, mechanization support, and agro-processing zones to ensure food security and export readiness.
These projects, he said, integrate the North into global value chains while strengthening its role within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Yilwatda described the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a landmark intervention expanding access to tertiary education for Northern youths.
“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. This is a transformational policy that will redefine the future of the region,” he stated.
The APC Chairman pointed to renewed federal focus on agriculture as a cornerstone of Northern development. Enhanced security combined with targeted farmer support gradually restores confidence in rural communities.
The administration prioritizes food security through large-scale farming, livestock development, modern ranching systems, and farmer financing. These efforts position the North as a leading exporter to neighbouring countries.
Yilwatda cautioned against self-serving politicians whose ambitions could derail progress being made.
“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. The future we seek requires collective commitment and unity of purpose,” he warned.
The APC Chairman expressed concern over lack of cohesion within opposition ranks, noting their inability to manage internal affairs raises doubts about their governance capacity.
“Their actions have exposed them as unreliable. They cannot organize their own political parties, yet they aspire to lead Nigeria. They destroy parties when their ambitions cannot be met and move to the next. Entrusting them with power would risk taking the country several years backward,” Yilwatda stated sharply.
Yilwatda described President Tinubu as a resilient democrat who stood against military rule during the Abacha era.
“President Tinubu is a dogged fighter for democracy, a man whose political journey has been defined by courage, vision, and consistency. His commitment to national development is unquestionable, and his plans for the North are evidence of his inclusive leadership,” he said.
The APC Chairman called on all Northern stakeholders—traditional rulers, political leaders, youth groups, business communities, and civil society—to rally behind the Tinubu administration.
He assured that the APC remains committed to delivering tangible results uplifting the region and securing prosperity for generations.
“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,” Yilwatda affirmed.
