ABUJA, Nigeria – Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, has termed the ongoing violence in northern Nigeria as a “curse” that is severely hindering the region’s development and progress. Speaking at the Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) 2025,
Dogara outlined that the constant bloodshed, including killings, kidnappings, and displacements, has pushed the region into a crisis that demands national intervention.
“We are operating under a curse because it is human blood,” Dogara asserted, emphasising that the relentless violence is a major roadblock to the region’s growth. According to him, the effects of this bloodshed go beyond physical destruction; they manifest in a lack of meaningful progress despite significant efforts.
Dogara called for a collective approach to tackling the situation, arguing that the northern states alone cannot bear the burden. “If it means pulling all the 19 northern states’ resources together to tackle insecurity, we must do it. Otherwise, all our conversations here will amount to nothing,” he warned. The former Speaker expressed concerns over the lack of tangible results, stating, “We are sweating without any tangible outcome.”
He further stressed that resolving the security challenges in the region should not be considered just a regional issue but a national emergency, one that impacts the entire country. “The development of northern Nigeria is not a regional prerogative. It must be seen as a national emergency. If the vast number of people we have in the North are not developed, Nigeria is going nowhere.”
While Dogara’s remarks highlighted the urgency for government intervention, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki acknowledged that the situation requires a multi-stakeholder approach. He noted that it cannot be tackled by the northern governors alone but should include the private sector as well. Saraki also pointed out that state governors in Nasarawa and Zamfara states are already demonstrating innovative approaches to tackling these challenges.
Saraki insisted that incentives for investment are crucial to driving progress in the region, stating, “We shouldn’t think it’s easy to put all the blame on governors. Even if you put a super governor in those states today, you won’t see investments unless there are incentives.”
Rep. Bello El-Rufai echoed the sentiment that northern Nigeria’s youth demography is increasingly becoming a liability, with many young people being recruited into violent activities like terrorism and banditry. He called for a structured approach to mentorship, service engagement, and respect, aiming to curb the destructive tendencies among northern youth.
“The most that get recruited by bandits are young people. The young people doing cybercrimes are also within our group,” El-Rufai lamented.
Professor Doknan Sheni, Director-General of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), stated that it was now time for action following the summit’s deliberations. The NEF DG outlined the 10-year development plan (2025–2035) designed to combat poverty, insecurity, and unemployment by utilising both human and natural resources.
“The high point of the summit was the formal signing and adoption of the Northern Nigeria Integrated Economic Development Charter. This document, endorsed by regional leaders and stakeholders, is now positioned as the central instrument to guide collective action in driving economic growth and transformation in Northern Nigeria,” Professor Sheni explained.
Sheni emphasised that the region must move beyond rhetoric and into tangible, coordinated action to become the economic powerhouse of Nigeria. He noted that the summit’s discussions on agriculture, mining, energy, and the digital economy identified opportunities to boost the region’s potential through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“The overall message was clear: moving beyond rhetoric into bold, coordinated action is essential if the region is to fulfil its role as the economic engine of the nation,” Sheni concluded.
