The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has reaffirmed the party’s full backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic transformation agenda for Northern Nigeria, cautioning that political interference could jeopardise the region’s development progress. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda emphasized that the current administration is executing a long-term, structured plan to turn the North into a leading economic hub in West and Central Africa. He stressed that the scale and coordination of ongoing federal projects reflect a deliberate effort to reposition the region as a center for commerce, education, and infrastructure-driven growth.
Yilwatda described President Tinubu’s vision for Northern Nigeria as transcending politics, focusing instead on unlocking the region’s vast economic potential. He projected that by the end of the current administration, the North will emerge as a strong and competitive economic powerhouse. Major investments in transportation, energy, and agriculture are at the core of this transformation, with road expansion and rail modernisation projects expected to enhance connectivity between Northern states and key markets. These improvements will reduce transportation costs and boost trade efficiency across the region.
The APC chairman also highlighted the importance of improved power supply and agro-industrial initiatives in stimulating industrial activity. Irrigation and mechanised farming programmes, he noted, are set to strengthen food production and increase export capacity. These efforts are aligned with Nigeria’s participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area, enabling Northern Nigeria to access wider continental markets and position itself as a key player in regional trade.
On human capital development, Yilwatda praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a critical tool for expanding access to higher education. He stated that education is the foundation of sustainable development and that NELFUND gives young people in the North the opportunity to pursue tertiary education regardless of financial limitations. He believes this will help produce a skilled workforce capable of sustaining long-term economic growth.
Yilwatda also underscored the renewed focus on agriculture, supported by improving security conditions in parts of the region. Government initiatives are aimed at promoting large-scale farming, livestock development, and access to financing for agribusinesses. Rehabilitation of dams and irrigation systems will further boost productivity and position the North as a major supplier of agricultural goods beyond Nigeria’s borders.
He called on traditional institutions, youth organisations, and the private sector to support the administration’s development agenda, warning that personal political ambitions could derail progress. Yilwatda criticised opposition parties for internal instability, stating that their inability to manage their affairs raises concerns about their capacity to govern effectively. The APC, he reaffirmed, remains committed to delivering measurable outcomes that will drive long-term prosperity in Northern Nigeria.
With sustained commitment and cooperation, Yilwatda believes the North is on a steady path toward economic renewal and can become a leading force not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
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