By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
Prominent political, traditional, and business leaders from Northern Nigeria converged in Kaduna on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, two years into his tenure. President Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The pivotal meeting is being held at the historic Arewa House, once the official residence of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. The two-day summit was organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, a respected socio-political think tank dedicated to championing the ideals of the late Sardauna. The Foundation has a well-established history of engaging constructively with successive federal administrations.
Under the theme “Assessing Electoral Promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity,” the summit has drawn a diverse array of participants from all 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. Attendees include former governors, ex-ministers, revered traditional rulers, technocrats, religious leaders, and civil society stakeholders, underscoring the significant weight the North places on its role in national affairs under President Tinubu’s leadership. The gathering is set to continue on Wednesday.
While the event’s official tone is measured and geared towards constructive dialogue, sources indicate that underlying concerns, particularly over perceived marginalization in federal appointments, project implementation, and resource allocation within the region, are likely to dominate informal discussions and behind-the-scenes conversations.
Speaking ahead of the gathering, the Foundation’s Director-General, Abubakar Gambo Umar, described the meeting as a continuation of Northern Nigeria’s tradition of constructive engagement with the federal government.
“This landmark session builds on our October 2022 engagement, where key presidential candidates, including then-candidate Tinubu, presented their manifestos and made development pledges to the region,” Umar stated.
He added, “With President Tinubu now two years in office, this forum offers a timely opportunity to review those promises, strengthen dialogue between government and citizens, and clarify the administration’s policy direction.” Umar emphasized that this review would serve as a “critical litmus test” of the federal government’s responsiveness to the region’s socio-economic and security challenges.
