Key political, traditional, and business figures from Northern Nigeria gathered on Tuesday in Kaduna for a strategic meeting aimed at reviewing the progress of President Bola Tinubu’s administration two years into office.
The event is being hosted at the historically significant Arewa House, once the home of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. The meeting was convened by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, a regional think-tank dedicated to upholding the legacy and values of the Sardauna of Sokoto.
Titled “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” the two-day dialogue has drawn participants from all 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. Discussions are expected to continue through Wednesday.
A broad mix of Northern influencers—including former governors, past federal ministers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society voices—were in attendance, reflecting the deep interest in the region’s position under the current federal administration.
Though the public tone of the forum was diplomatic and constructive, insiders hinted that deeper concerns—particularly around what is perceived as the North’s reduced influence in federal appointments, project distribution, and funding—may dominate private discussions.
Speaking ahead of the conference, the Foundation’s Director-General, Abubakar Gambo Umar, emphasized that the session is part of an ongoing tradition of productive engagement with national leadership.
He recalled that the Foundation had previously held a major interaction in October 2022 with frontline presidential candidates—among them Bola Tinubu, who, at the time, pledged his commitment to Northern development.
“This session is a necessary follow-up,” Umar explained. “Now that President Tinubu is two years into his term, we are here to critically examine how far those campaign commitments have been fulfilled. Our goal is to create space for honest dialogue between the government and the people, and to better understand the direction of current policies.”
He described the initiative as both a review mechanism and a platform to strengthen democratic accountability and national cohesion.
At the conclusion of the event, a formal communiqué is expected to be issued, highlighting key insights, recommendations, and action points from the Northern leadership on the way forward.