President Bola Tinubu has said insecurity remains the most troubling challenge confronting Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
Speaking on Saturday in Kaduna at the 25th Anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the launch of its Endowment Fund, Tinubu—represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas—stressed the need for urgent action to rebuild trust, strengthen unity and restore safety across communities.
He said insecurity must be confronted decisively to prevent further economic downturn and setbacks in education.
“Nothing troubles me more gravely than the security crisis bedevilling Nigeria, especially Northern Nigeria,” Tinubu said. “We cannot prosper when one limb of the national body is paralysed.”
He noted that his administration inherited complex security challenges but is addressing them with urgency and determination. According to him, efforts are ongoing to dismantle terrorist and bandit networks operating across the North and to revive the region’s economy.
Tinubu also expressed optimism about economic prospects, saying he looks forward to when crude oil production will begin from Kolmani and other oil fields in the North.
He added that major infrastructure projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Superhighway, are being fast-tracked for completion.
The president urged northern leaders to speak honestly and boldly about the challenges confronting the region, warning that progress would be impossible if communities remain unprotected.
“We fail the day we sleep comfortably while millions sleep with empty bellies, the day fear becomes a permanent companion for travellers,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged that years of dysfunction had strained unity, but said the diverse attendance at the ACF anniversary reflected a collective resolve to reject division and strengthen solidarity.
He commended the ACF for serving as the conscience of the North for 25 years, upholding dignity, fairness and equality. He described the anniversary as a celebration of courage, advocacy and principled leadership.
Tinubu urged leaders across various sectors to recommit to the values on which the forum was founded, noting that the unity and stability of Northern Nigeria remain critical to the nation’s overall peace and development.