Presidency Refutes Kwankwaso’s Claims of Northern Neglect, Highlights Ongoing Development Projects
The Nigerian Presidency has strongly pushed back against recent criticisms by former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of marginalising Northern Nigeria. In a firm rebuttal, the Presidency listed several infrastructure, agricultural, health, and energy projects ongoing across the North, insisting the region has not been sidelined.
Kwankwaso had made his remarks during a stakeholders’ constitutional dialogue held in Kano on Thursday, where he painted a grim picture of what he described as systemic neglect of Northern states under the Tinubu administration. According to him, the concentration of national resources in the southern region has worsened poverty levels and heightened insecurity in the North.
Kwankwaso’s Concerns: Poverty and Poor Infrastructure in the North
Senator Kwankwaso, a seasoned politician with a deep base of support in the North, decried the deteriorating state of federal roads and the widening economic gap between regions. Citing his recent travel ordeal, he described his experience of being forced to journey by road from Abuja to Kano after a cancelled flight, characterising the trip as “hellish” due to the appalling condition of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway.
Kwankwaso warned that the North was slipping further into economic hardship and insecurity as government attention allegedly drifted southward. According to him, this growing imbalance could have long-term consequences for the unity and development of the country. He argued that unless urgent measures were taken to address regional inequality, Nigeria risked further unrest and political instability.
Presidency Reacts: Tinubu Administration Committed to Northern Development
In a prompt and detailed response, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to dismiss Kwankwaso’s assertions. He argued that contrary to the former governor’s claims, the North has not only received significant federal attention but is also benefitting from a wide range of legacy projects and social investments initiated or continued by the Tinubu-led administration.
Dare wrote, “The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect. The Tinubu administration has initiated and continued several landmark projects in the North, covering roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy.”
To substantiate this, the presidential adviser provided a comprehensive breakdown of various federal projects and programmes currently underway across Northern Nigeria. These projects, he said, form part of the administration’s broader national development strategy and prove its commitment to inclusivity and regional balance.
Infrastructure Development: Roads, Rails, and Energy
Among the major infrastructure projects highlighted by Sunday Dare is the long-standing Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, a critical highway linking the Federal Capital Territory with key Northern cities. Though plagued by delays under previous administrations, the project has seen renewed focus and progress under Tinubu, according to the aide.
He also mentioned the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, which aims to enhance connectivity between Northwestern and Southwestern Nigeria, and the Kano–Kongolam Road—a vital trade route linking Nigeria to the Republic of Niger.
In the realm of energy infrastructure, the presidential spokesman spotlighted the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, a 614-kilometre pipeline project meant to transport natural gas from Southern Nigeria to energy-starved areas in the North. The AKK project, which has seen significant investment and construction milestones in recent months, is expected to boost power generation, industrialisation, and domestic gas usage once completed.
Also cited were solar energy projects slated for Kaduna and other Northern states, which align with the government’s broader goals for a renewable energy transition and rural electrification.
Health Sector Investments in Northern States
The Presidency also reeled off several health sector investments and facility upgrades across the region. These include ongoing enhancements at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (Zaria), University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and the Federal Medical Centre in Nguru.
Beyond tertiary institutions, the administration has embarked on the revitalisation of nearly 1,000 primary healthcare centres across Northern states. This effort aims to improve maternal and child health services, expand access to basic healthcare in rural areas, and reduce pressure on overburdened secondary and tertiary facilities.
According to Dare, these initiatives demonstrate a deliberate attempt by the federal government to address healthcare disparities and improve health outcomes in Northern Nigeria.
Agriculture and Land Restoration Projects
One of the cornerstones of the administration’s Northern-focused policy, according to the Presidency, is a strategic investment in agriculture. A notable example is the $158.15 million Agricultural Value Chain Development Programme currently being implemented across nine Northern states. The programme is designed to enhance crop productivity, improve market access, and stimulate rural economic activity.
In addition, the Kolmani Integrated Development Project, located in Bauchi and Gombe states, was cited as another major federal-backed investment in the region. The Kolmani project includes an oil refinery, power plant, and fertiliser facility, and is expected to drive industrial growth and job creation in the North-East.
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project was also mentioned. ACReSAL aims to combat desertification and land degradation in Northern Nigeria. The project targets the restoration of one million hectares of degraded land and supports sustainable agricultural practices, water resource management, and climate resilience in semi-arid regions.
Rail and Urban Mobility Projects
Sunday Dare further noted the progress made on rail transport, another crucial component of the government’s Northern development agenda. He highlighted the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line and the Kano–Maradi Rail Line, the latter extending into the Niger Republic to boost cross-border trade and mobility.
Additionally, the rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Rail was included as part of the administration’s efforts to modernise urban transport and promote ease of movement within the capital, which also serves as a central node connecting the North to other regions.
These rail projects, once completed, are expected to improve logistics, reduce travel times, and enhance economic integration within the North and beyond.
Political Undertones: Kwankwaso’s Growing Opposition
Analysts believe that Kwankwaso’s statements reflect more than just regional advocacy—they may also signal early signs of political posturing ahead of the 2027 elections. As a prominent Northern political figure and former presidential aspirant, Kwankwaso’s criticism of Tinubu’s governance may be aimed at galvanising support in the region and positioning himself or his party for future electoral contests.
While Kwankwaso continues to push for greater federal attention to Northern issues, critics argue that he too had the opportunity to address many of the challenges he now highlights, especially during his two-term governorship in Kano and his time in national politics.
Nonetheless, his remarks have triggered broader conversations around equitable development, regional planning, and the federal government’s role in balancing growth across Nigeria’s diverse zones.
Presidency’s Call for Objective Assessment
The Presidency, in its response, urged Nigerians—especially leaders like Kwankwaso—to adopt a more objective and fact-based approach when evaluating government performance. Rather than fueling regional grievances, Sunday Dare suggested that collaborative engagement would yield better results for development and unity.
He reiterated that the administration’s policies are not skewed to favour any region but are designed to deliver on the Renewed Hope agenda in a way that benefits all Nigerians, regardless of geopolitical location.
“Infrastructure and development projects are being rolled out across the country. No zone is left out,” Dare said, adding that national cohesion can only be achieved through shared progress, not divisive rhetoric.
Public Reactions and Broader Implications
Public reactions to the exchange between Kwankwaso and the Presidency have been mixed. While some Northern citizens echoed Kwankwaso’s concerns about poor roads and economic marginalisation, others acknowledged the presence of visible projects and commended the federal government’s efforts in tackling long-standing development gaps.
Policy analysts also pointed out that Northern Nigeria’s challenges—ranging from insecurity to infrastructural decay—are multi-dimensional and require both short- and long-term interventions that go beyond road construction or gas pipelines.
For many observers, the real test lies in how well these projects are executed, monitored, and sustained over time. Completion timelines, transparency in funding, and local involvement will be key to ensuring that federal investments translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Balancing Criticism with Facts
The current exchange between Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Presidency brings to light the importance of maintaining a fact-based and objective political discourse. While Kwankwaso’s concerns about Northern Nigeria’s development challenges may stem from real issues—such as poor infrastructure, insecurity, and economic disparity—there is a need to examine these concerns within a broader, more factual context.
The Presidency’s response, highlighting various federal projects across Northern states, offers a counter-narrative that cannot be ignored. From major infrastructure investments to health and agricultural initiatives, the administration insists that the North is not being neglected. This contrast of views shows the necessity for national conversations that are informed, constructive, and centered on progress rather than politics.
At the heart of this debate lies the critical need for equitable development across all regions of Nigeria. Beyond rhetoric, real solutions must emerge—visible projects, completed timelines, and lasting impact. It is not enough to make promises; the results must be tangible and felt by citizens on the ground.
As the Tinubu administration pushes forward with its Renewed Hope agenda, Nigerians, especially those in underserved regions, will continue to observe closely. What matters most is not political point-scoring, but delivering meaningful change that reflects fairness, inclusion, and national unity.