Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has declared it politically unfair to hold President Bola Tinubu’s administration accountable for the over two decades of neglect, policy inconsistencies, and weak governance structures that have plagued Northern Nigeria and contributed to the region’s ongoing crisis.
Governor Sani stated this while hosting a Two-Day Interactive Programme of the Sir. Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna. The event was themed “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government–Citizen Engagement for National Unity”.
“While the Tinubu administration bears the responsibility to find solutions, it is unjust and politically misleading to hold the administration solely accountable for the crisis that predates the tenure of the current President,” Governor Sani wrote on his official Facebook page.
He said “I however reiterated a fact that most Northerners know too well: our challenges in the North today are deeply-rooted issues that began decades ago. The region has suffered from years of neglect, policy inconsistency, and weak governance structures.
“Blaming His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has barely been in office for just two years, for the problems that have been festering for over 20 years – or more, ignores the complex history and systemic failures that span multiple governments and political actors.”
Governor Sani explained that the theme for the event speaks directly to the heart of democratic governance and underscored the significance of honouring commitments and deepening connections between the state and the citizenry.
The Governor’s statement continued, “In my remarks, I recalled that two years ago, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation convened a similar interactive programme which brought together leading presidential aspirants, among them His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. President Tinubu (then an aspirant) addressed the gathering not with empty phrases, but with a vision anchored in renewal, integration, and rapid development —especially for Northern Nigeria. He made bold commitments. Today, reconvened as a collective body of reflection, the question is unavoidable: has President Tinubu honoured the pledges he made?
“My response is a resounding YES. Central to President Tinubu’s achievements in office is his unwavering commitment to national inclusion. Northerners hold key ministerial and institutional leadership roles — not as symbolic tokens, but as transformative actors shaping policy and driving change. Governance is being demystified, decentralised, and democratised.
“The administration introduced a comprehensive student loan scheme, alleviating education costs and allowing students from modest backgrounds to pursue higher education. President Tinubu is investing in infrastructure upgrades at federal institutions and enrolling thousands in vocational and digital training programmes targeted at preparing youth for opportunities in technology and innovation.
“In basic education, the Federal Government is expanding classroom capacity, recruiting and training teachers, and renewing curricula — all to improve learning outcomes. President Tinubu’s 3 Million Technical Talent initiative trains youth in digital and technical skills, while our own agricultural colleges and technical institutes connect learning with livelihoods. We are not only preparing future employees — we are cultivating job creators.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts in healthcare are equally transformative. More than a thousand primary health care centres across Northern Nigeria have been revitalised. In agriculture — long the economic lifeblood of the North — we are witnessing a quiet revolution.
“Farmers now benefit from solar-powered irrigation and mechanised tools. Climate-smart programmes are reshaping rural livelihoods. Agribusiness is supplanting subsistence farming. Local markets flourish.
“Food systems grow more resilient and food sovereign. In fact, no President has in the history of Nigeria, supported sub-nationals in agricultural transformation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I also seized the opportunity of the interactive programme to share with the attendees some of the achievements of my administration.
“When I took office in 2023, Kaduna State was under siege by bandits and terrorists. The Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, Birnin Gwari, Chikun, Igabi, and other areas were gripped by fear. Working hand in hand with President Tinubu’s administration, we launched the Kaduna Peace Model — combining security, community engagement, and dialogue.
“Today, criminal enclaves have been dismantled, long-abandoned communities are returning to life, and peace is steadily taking root.
“Beyond security, we have prioritised education, strengthened the healthcare system, revitalized agriculture, and expanded financial inclusion to address poverty and exclusion.
“Let the two-day interactive programme not be merely symbolic, but a call to deepen democratic engagement and uplift our people. May the memory of Sir Ahmadu Bello inspire us to lead with justice, serve with humility, and act with courage to build the Nigeria he dreamed of,” Governor Sani added.
