The Arewa Consultative Forum has alleged that Northern Nigeria is being marginalised under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in federal budget allocations and infrastructure development. The Chairman of the Forum’s Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, made the claim during a two-day interactive session on government-citizen engagement hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna.
Dalhatu cited the 2025 federal budget, noting that only N24 billion out of the N1.013 trillion allocated for road projects was earmarked for the Northeast, representing less than one percent. He added that while roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge receive attention, major highways in the North remain neglected. He called on President Tinubu to prioritise the completion of key routes, including the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and Zaria-Sokoto highways.
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Referencing a statement by the Federal Ministry of Works from May 2025, the ACF noted that the regional breakdown of allocations showed the Southwest receiving N1.394 trillion, while the Northeast and Northwest got N30 billion and N105 billion respectively. Dalhatu described the disparity as open and unapologetic, further fuelling grievances in the region.
The Forum also raised concerns over low agricultural investment, despite the North’s dominance in Nigeria’s landmass and livestock.
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