In a bid to accelerate the pace of development in Nigeria’s Northwest region, the governors of the six states gathered in Abuja for a crucial meeting with senior United Nations (UN) officials and representatives from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The meeting, which focused on regional collaboration, was aimed at advancing key development initiatives that promise to enhance social services, improve economic growth, and address critical issues faced by the region.
The forum, led by the Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda, was a pivotal step in aligning the region’s development efforts with international partners. Governor Radda emphasized that the discussions centered on impactful interventions in key areas such as social protection, education, food security, and climate adaptation—areas vital to the region’s sustainable development.
Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto, and Umar Namadi of Jigawa were all in attendance, marking a unified front in tackling the region’s most pressing challenges. During the meeting, the governors were briefed by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UN Resident Coordinator Malick Fall, who provided updates on ongoing programs and highlighted new strategies to enhance collaboration between the Northwest states and international organizations.
One of the key highlights of the meeting was the discussion with the AfDB regarding the Nigeria Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAG 2.0). Governor Radda revealed that this program, which focuses on driving agricultural development and value chain enhancement in the Northwest, is on the brink of implementation. This initiative is expected to have a transformative impact on the region’s agricultural sector, bolstering production, improving infrastructure, and creating jobs.
Additionally, the governors reviewed the second phase of the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) initiative, which is set to expand its reach to all five Northwest states. Originally launched in just Kaduna and Kano, the initiative will now extend its benefits across the entire region, providing vital infrastructure and support for agro-processing businesses. This expansion is poised to create significant economic opportunities and support the region’s agricultural value chains.
Renewable energy solutions also took center stage during the meeting, with discussions focused on the Infrastructure Resilience Support (IRS) program. The program, which emphasizes solar energy and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiatives, aims to improve energy access, reduce environmental impact, and drive sustainable development in the Northwest.
Education was another crucial area of focus, with the governors expressing interest in accessing resources from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). This initiative aims to improve the educational infrastructure and opportunities for children in the region, particularly addressing the high rate of out-of-school children and enhancing educational quality across the states.
Governor Radda further highlighted that each state governor has appointed a dedicated focal person to coordinate development partner programs in their respective states. These focal persons will ensure that projects are implemented efficiently and that the region’s development partners are aligned in their goals. The governors have pledged to work in unison to tackle poverty alleviation, youth employment, and the out-of-school children crisis, marking a concerted effort to uplift the lives of millions across the region.
“We have unanimously agreed to work together on economic development, agriculture, tackling out-of-school children, poverty alleviation, and youth employment,” Governor Radda stated, signaling a unified approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the Northwest.
This high-level engagement between the governors, UN officials, and AfDB representatives signifies a renewed commitment to addressing the region’s developmental needs. With strategic interventions across agriculture, education, energy, and social protection, the Northwest region is poised for a significant transformation that will create lasting opportunities for its people.