The Nigerian Presidency has firmly rejected allegations by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, who claimed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is favoring the South and neglecting Northern Nigeria in terms of federal projects and resource allocation.
Kwankwaso’s Criticism
Kwankwaso, speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment in Kano, argued that significant federal resources and projects were being diverted to the south, which he said was worsening poverty and insecurity across the northern region. He cited the poor state of federal roads and recounted a difficult journey from Abuja to Kano by road, which he described as “hell” due to bad conditions.
Presidency’s Response
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Sunday Dare, described Kwankwaso’s claims as “incorrect and misleading.” In a detailed rebuttal and a series of posts, the Presidency outlined a comprehensive list of ongoing and completed projects under Tinubu’s administration specifically targeting the North. The administration emphasized a commitment to balanced, nationwide development, not skewed to any particular region.
Key Tinubu-Era Projects and Interventions in Northern Nigeria
1. Major Roads and Highways
- Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway: Major rehabilitation and construction, aimed at improving the North’s key transport artery.
- Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway: An expansive highway linking the far northwest to the southwest, designed for strategic trade.
- Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway: Connecting northern commercial hubs to the northeast.
- Kano–Kongolam, Kaduna–Jos, and several other major road corridors.
2. Health Infrastructure
- Upgrades and expansion at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (Zaria), Jos University Teaching Hospital, and other key medical centres across northern states.
- Revitalization of over 1,000 primary healthcare centres.
- New diagnostic centres and investments in federal hospitals in locations like Katsina, Sokoto, Ilorin, Bauchi, and Yobe.
3. Agriculture and Food Security
- $158.15 Million Agriculture Value Chain Programme: Targeting nine northern states to boost agribusiness, productivity, and food security.
- Kolmani Integrated Development Project (Bauchi and Gombe): A flagship oil and gas/agricultural hub.
- Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL): A World Bank-backed environmental program to support resilience and sustainable agriculture.
4. Energy and Power
- Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline: 614km pipeline to transform industrial and power capacity in the North.
- Gwagwalada Power Plant and ongoing investments in solar power, particularly in Kaduna and surrounding states.
5. Rail and Trade Infrastructure
- Kaduna–Kano Rail Line
- Kano–Maradi Rail Line
- Abuja Metro Rehabilitation
- Budget allocation for the upcoming Kaduna Light Rail and upgrades to inland trade hubs through the Trans-Sahara trade corridor.
6. Other Notable Efforts
- Intensified work on rural access roads to facilitate agriculture and trade.
- Regional integration projects like the Great Green Wall and environmental/erosion control programmes.
Presidency’s Assurance
The Presidency insisted that these interventions are evidence that Northern Nigeria is not being left behind. The administration says its “Renewed Hope” agenda is designed for national – not sectional – progress, aiming to lift all parts of the country through heavy investment in infrastructure, health, agriculture, energy, and education.
“Northern Nigeria is not left behind. From road networks to gas pipelines, agriculture, health, and rail, this administration has the North well covered.” – Presidency
Context and Political Undercurrents
The exchange reflects persistent regional tensions over resource allocation and federal development priorities. While Senator Kwankwaso’s critique echoes longer-standing complaints from Northern leaders, the Tinubu administration has opted for a very public, detailed rebuttal, aggressively listing project after project to counter the narrative and amplify its investments in the North.
Overall, the Presidency maintains that Tinubu’s two years in office have delivered dozens of ongoing projects worth billions of dollars across Northern Nigeria, directly challenging perceptions of northern neglect.
