Northern Youths Question FG Over Planned Kaduna Engagement, Call For Broader Inclusion
The Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) has voiced serious concerns regarding a planned engagement between the Federal Government and select northern stakeholders. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday in Kaduna, the group criticized the initiative for lacking transparency, inclusivity, and proper timing.
The Forum suspects the engagement—reportedly being organized in collaboration with the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation—may serve political ends rather than address pressing regional issues.
Muhammad Isah Imam, the group’s Secretary of Media and Public Affairs, emphasized the North’s long-standing contributions to the country’s demographics, economy, and culture, while lamenting continued marginalization.
“The North remains plagued by insecurity, underdevelopment, and inadequate infrastructure,” Imam stated. “Despite our contributions, we are routinely left out of national planning and policy execution.”
He referenced a more inclusive and widely praised forum in Kaduna back in October 2022, where presidential candidates committed publicly to addressing northern challenges. In contrast, the current initiative, Imam argued, falls short of those democratic ideals.
“Why this renewed interest in the North now?” Imam asked. “Is this a genuine attempt to engage, or simply an image-boosting effort by the government during a politically sensitive period?”
The Forum posed several critical questions, including:
What is the real intention behind this new engagement?
Does the government now recognize the marginalization of the North?
Why is only the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation involved?
Why were other prominent northern stakeholders—especially those from the 2022 engagement—not consulted?
The group also warned against selective or symbolic participation, stressing that such gestures only deepen distrust among northern youths who already feel excluded from key national dialogues.
Their demands to the Federal Government include:
Full disclosure of the goals and expected results of the engagement.
Inclusion of youth organizations, women’s groups, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society actors.
A northern-led dialogue process with the FG in a supporting—not controlling—role.
Replication of similar forums across all geopolitical zones to ensure fairness.
Clarity from elders who participated in the 2022 engagement regarding their current position.
“The North’s youth will not accept cosmetic consultations or empty gestures,” Imam warned. “We demand honest, inclusive, and transparent dialogue rooted in fairness.”
The Forum called on the Federal Government to embrace equity and regional balance, warning that continued neglect could jeopardize national cohesion.
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