NORTHERN YOUTH LEADERS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLANNED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NORTH
NORTHERN YOUTH LEADERS DEMAND TRANSPARENCY IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLANNED ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NORTH
The Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) has raised serious concerns over a proposed federal government engagement with the North, calling for transparency, inclusivity, and respect for regional autonomy in national dialogue processes.
At a press briefing held at the NUT-End Well Hotel, Magadishu Layout in Kaduna, the Forum expressed strong reservations over a planned event in collaboration with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation. The event, reportedly being organized to showcase federal achievements in the region, has been described by the Forum as lacking transparency, inclusiveness, and genuine representation of Northern stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, Muhammad Isah Imam, Secretary of Media and Public Affairs, criticized the federal government for what he termed a “sudden and selective outreach” to the region after nearly two years of silence following the much-celebrated Kaduna engagement of October 2022. That landmark event, which brought together presidential candidates and a broad coalition of Northern groups, was hailed as a model for participatory democracy.
“Why now?” Imam queried, adding, “Is this new engagement a sincere attempt to address long-standing grievances or merely a political performance to pacify the North during uncertain times?”
The group pointed to decades of underdevelopment, insecurity, and neglect in the region, despite the North’s demographic strength and economic significance. They emphasized that any new initiative must be rooted in fairness, respect, and active involvement of all relevant regional actors especially youth, women, civil society, religious institutions, and traditional leaders.
Among the issues raised were:
Lack of clarity on the purpose and structure of the new engagement;
Exclusion of the broader coalition that organized the 2022 Kaduna summit;
Concerns about federal dominance in what should be a Northern-led initiative;
Questions over the sole involvement of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, sidelining other original conveners and stakeholders.
The Forum further questioned the silence of Northern elders who once led regional advocacy efforts, asking whether their current position represents compromise or exclusion.
To address these concerns, the Forum issued a set of demands:
1. Full public disclosure of the event’s objectives, agenda, and expected outcomes;
2. Inclusive participation of all key Northern stakeholders;
3. Restoration of Northern agency, ensuring the process is led by the region, not dictated from outside;
4. Equitable engagement across all regions of Nigeria if national unity and fairness are the goals;
5. Clarification from the 2022 conveners and respected Northern leaders on their current role and stance.
The Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue, but stressed that the North would no longer accept tokenism, political showmanship, or marginalization in federal policymaking.
“We are not spectators in our own future,” Imam declared. “The North deserves meaningful engagement, not cosmetic consultations. Our youth are vigilant, and we are ready to defend our interests through principled and peaceful means.”
The statement concludes with a call on the federal government to embrace genuine partnership, recommit to justice and fairness, and engage with the North transparently and respectfully, to avoid deepening distrust and disunity.
