COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2-DAY INTERACTIVE SESSION ON GOVERNMENT-CITIZENS ENGAGEMENT WITH THEME: “ASSESSING ELECTORAL PROMISES: FOSTERING GOVERNMENT-CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT FOR NATIONAL UNITY” HELD AT AREWA HOUSE, KADUNA, ON 29TH – 30TH JULY, 2025
In line with its objective of deepening dialogue between critical stakeholders and the public to drive inclusive decision-making, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) hosted a 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement themed “Assessing electoral promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity” at the Arewa House, Kaduna, from 29th to 30th July 2025. The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, HE Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented the President, HE Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR while Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties (Office of the Vice President) represented HE Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON. The Kaduna State Governor, HE Senator Uba Sani, served as the chief host. The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), HE Inuwa Yahaya was also in attendance as a Special Guest.
The engagement featured representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and included the National Security Adviser, members of the Federal Executive Council, Heads of Federal Agencies, Chief of Defence Staff and security chiefs, from Northern part of the country. The event brought together government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, academics, traditional and religious leaders, private sector representatives, and development partners to deliberate on electoral promises, governance, and strategies to strengthen citizen engagement for national unity.
In attendance, also, were the leaderships of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, led by HE Muazu Babangida Aliyu, CON and the Arewa Consultative Forum, led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, wazirin Dutse. In addition to opening remarks and goodwill messages, the Foundation acknowledged the graciousness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in sending a high-powered delegation to the interaction, continuing the tradition of engagement that began with the October 17, 2022 session, as part of engagement with the 2023 presidential candidates.
The keynote address, delivered by Professor Tijjani Mohammed Bande, GCON underscored critical regional and national challenges, which, he said, were not in isolation of international events. Citing examples with other countries he said Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits. He advised the North to develop mechanism negotiating its interest within Nigeria that should be anchored on holistic national development goals.
The interactive session reflected Northern Nigeria’s position, emphasizing the region’s central role in sustaining Nigeria’s political stability and economic growth, and recognizing its over overwhelming electoral support to the victory of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The session also featured plenary discussions across thematic areas of National Security, Governance and Economy, Agriculture and Food Security, Infrastructure Development, and Human Capital Development. Stakeholders commended the government’s high and commendable performance in fulfilling many of his electoral promises, particularly in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms.
At the end of the exhaustive and frank conversations over the two-day period, the summit makes the following observations and resolutions:
Key Observations
- The government demonstrated openness to dialogue and continuous citizen engagement.
- The administration’s delivery of electoral promises in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms was high and commendable.
- Northern Nigeria contributes significantly to national stability, development, and electoral outcomes.
- The problem of Almajiri and out-of-school children remain a key concern of Northern Nigeria.
- Equitable resource distribution is essential to address regional imbalances.
- Major infrastructure projects are advancing, including highways, gas pipelines (AKK), oil exploration (Kolmani), and rural irrigation schemes.
- Agricultural value chains and rural industrialization are crucial for employment and food security.
- Ongoing economic and security reforms require inclusive and non-kinetic approaches.
- Strengthened federal-state collaboration is essential for regional prosperity.
Key Resolutions
- Makes case for institutionalized periodic government-citizen dialogue platforms at the national and state levels.
- commend the government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in many areas especially security, infrastructural development praised the increased equitable resource availability to subnational authorities.
- Urges substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North.
- Calls for increased and accelerated infrastructural development in Nigeria.
- Strengthen agricultural value chains, livestock development and establish agro-allied industries for economic diversifications.
- Continued support for economic and security reforms with inclusive, community-driven, non-kinetic methods.
- Engage civil society, traditional, and religious leaders in policy advocacy and public mobilization.
- Promote responsible media practices to enhance public trust and national cohesion.
- Foster regional collaboration among Northern states to drive greater interface with the federal government.
The summit concluded that Northern Nigeria acknowledges and commends the administration’s high performance in fulfilling its electoral promises in many areas and also appreciates subsisting challenges. Participants calls for more commitment to transparency, fairness and equity as elements that would foster national unity and sustenance of our democracy. It further calls for continued collaboration among government, citizens, and all stakeholders as the surest path to peace, justice, and prosperity in Nigeria.
Signed:
Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Gambo Umar
DG, SABMF
On behalf of Participants
Date: 30th July 2025
