Arewa Forum Calls on Tinubu to Rethink Economic Policies Amid Rising Insecurity and Poverty in Northern Nigeria
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has issued a strong call for urgent government intervention in northern Nigeria, pressing President Bola Tinubu to address critical issues of security, economic hardship, and education in the region. In a communiqué released after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna, the ACF expressed deep dissatisfaction with current government policies, which it argues are exacerbating the challenges faced by Northern communities.
Signed by ACF National Publicity Secretary Professor TukurMuhammad-Baba, the communiqué criticised the government’s economic policies, claiming they have worsened conditions across northern Nigeria. “The policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters worse, with little sensitivity to the precarious existential conditions of Arewapeople,” the ACF stated. The forum called on President Tinubuto revise these policies “with a human face,” urging a greater focus on the hardships experienced by Nigerians.
The ACF’s communique underscored the necessity of basic security as an “irreducible minimum of human existence.” The forum condemned the lack of substantial progress in countering banditry, terrorism, and abductions that plague northern Nigeria, urging the government to fulfil its fundamental duty to safeguard lives and property. “It is unacceptable for those responsible for providing security to claim they are ‘doing their best.’ The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property; doing anything less is a failure,” the communiqué read.
In addition to security and economic stability, the ACF highlighted the deteriorating state of education in the North, particularly the region’s high proportion of out-of-school children. “Statistics of out-of-school children, of which Arewahas an overwhelming proportion, are cogent pointers to the situation,” the forum said. While acknowledging some progress, the ACF emphasised that much more work is required, calling on northern governors to adopt a coordinated approach to policy implementation in areas including security, education, and agricultural development.
The communiqué further warned that current economic reforms, while potentially beneficial in theory, are harming those they aim to uplift. “Economic reforms should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve,” the forum argued, adding that impoverished citizens may not survive to see the purported benefits of such reforms. The ACF urged the Federal Government to reassess its economic policies to prioritiseimmediate relief for the struggling population.
ACF Chairman Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN) decried the operations of bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers that have left the region “under siege,” describing the rate of attacks and abductions as alarmingly frequent. He stressed that northern leaders must work in collaboration to address these issues effectively. “The North is currently under siege from various threats, including bandits, terrorists, kidnappers, and unjust treatment. We must come together to address these challenges,” he stated, calling on traditional leaders, governors, and legislators to work in synergy.
The communiqué also addressed the rising food crisis, urging the government to explore both short- and long-term solutions to achieve food self-sufficiency, including imports where necessary. It also highlighted poor electricity supply as a persistent obstacle, warning that without reliable power, efforts to alleviate poverty and unemployment would likely fail.
The ACF’s communiqué was not solely focused on criticisms, however; it called on northern elites to counter negative narratives about the region and to embrace a spirit of community service. “The interests of the North will be best served by northerners,” the forum asserted, underscoring a commitment to internal reflection and immediate, collective action over long-term political manoeuvres.
In line with its agenda for internal unity, the ACF endorsed the newly formed League of Northern Democrats, led by elder statesman Dr Umar Ardo and former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau. The League, a coalition of northern governors, senators, and other leaders, shares the ACF’s objectives of revitalising the North through inclusive leadership and collaborative efforts to address regional challenges. Osumancommended the League’s objectives but cautioned that meaningful change would require immediate action and inward reflection.
“The ACF commends the League of Northern Democrats’ objectives, which align with our goals, but we must focus on immediate action and inward reflection,” Osuman noted. He concluded by stressing the importance of economic empowerment, educational and skills development, infrastructure, and security to ensure the North’s revitalisation.
As the region grapples with multiple crises, the ACF’s message highlights the urgency for coordinated, compassionate governance aimed at restoring security, economic relief, and educational opportunities.
