Leadership: SABMF hosts forum on government-citizen engagement in Kaduna

*Stakeholders at The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) interactive session on government-citizen engagement affirm Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits across the West African country

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Stakeholders have said Nigeria has shown resilience in tackling insecurity, poverty, and educational deficits across the West African country.

ConsumerConnect reports Nigerians from all walks of life noted this at The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) 2-day interactive session on Government-Citizen Engagement, held Wednesday, in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria.

The forum with the theme, “Assessing electoral promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity”, held July 29-30, 2025, at the Arewa House, in the Northern city.

The event was in line with SABMF objective of deepening dialogue between critical stakeholders and the public to drive inclusive decision-making

In his keynote address, Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, GCON, underscored critical regional and national challenges in Nigeria, which, he said, were not in isolation of international events.

Bande, in his address, advised the Northern Nigeria to develop a mechanism negotiating its interest within the country, which should be anchored on “holistic national development goals”.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties (Office of the Vice President) represented Vice-President Kashim Shettima, GCON at the event.

Governor (Senator) Uba Sani of Kaduna State served as the chief host while Inuwa Yahaya, Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), was also in attendance as a Special Guest at SABMF.

Engr. (Dr.) Abubakar Gambo Umar, Director-General of SABMF, in a communiqué, disclosed the government- citizen engagement featured representatives of the Federal Government, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

Likewise, 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 adequately represented on the occasion.

The statement further noted the event attracted government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations, 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.

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 also stranded the session.

Besides opening remarks and goodwill messages by the stakeholders and guests, the Foundation equally acknowledged the graciousness of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in sending a high-powered delegation to the interaction.

It said the SABMF regarded such partnership as “continuing the tradition of engagement” that began with the October 17, 2022, session, as part of engagement with the 2023 Presidential candidates.

On state of the nation

As regard the state of the nation, the interactive session reflected Northern Nigeria’s position.

It emphasised the region’s central role in sustaining Nigeria’s political stability and economic growth, recognising its over overwhelming electoral support to the victory of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The session as well featured plenary discussions across thematic areas of National Security, Governance and Economy, Agriculture and Food Security, Infrastructure Development, and Human Capital Development.

The stakeholders also commended the government’s “high and commendable performance in fulfilling many of his electoral promises, particularly in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms”.

The SABMF forum engaged stakeholders in exhaustive and frank conversations over the two-day period, and made some observations and resolutions.

The Foundation noted a number of key observations, including that the government demonstrated openness to dialogue and continuous citizen engagement.

It also acknowledged the administration’s delivery of electoral promises in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms was high and commendable.

SABMF said the Northern Nigeria contributes significantly to national stability, development, and electoral outcomes.

The Foundation averred the problem of Almajiri and out-of-school children has remained a key concern of Northern Nigeria.

The communiqué stated the “equitable resource distribution is essential to address regional imbalances.”

According to SAMBF said major infrastructure projects are advancing, including highways, gas pipelines (AKK), oil exploration (Kolmani), and rural irrigation schemes.

It equally noted that agricultural value chains and rural industrialisation are crucial for employment and food security in the country.

“Ongoing economic and security reforms require inclusive and non-kinetic approaches.

“Strengthened federal-state collaboration is essential for regional prosperity.”

The Foundation resolved to make case for institutionalised periodic government-citizen dialogue platforms at the national and state levels.

SAMBF commended the Federal Government’s high performance in delivering electoral promises in several areas, especially security, infrastructural development in Nigeria.

The Foundation praised the increased equitable resource availability to subnational authorities in Nigeria.

It urges substantial investment in education to address the out-of-school children crisis, especially in the North, and called for increased and accelerated infrastructural development in Nigeria.

The SAMDF urged the government trengthen agricultural value chains, livestock development and establish agro-allied industries for economic diversifications.

It emphasised the continued support for economic and security reforms with inclusive, community-driven, non-kinetic methods.

The Foundation urged the government to wngage civil society, traditional, and religious leaders in policy advocacy and public mobilisation.

“Promote responsible media practices to enhance public trust and national cohesion, and foster regional collaboration among Northern states to drive greater interface with the Federal Government.

The summit concluded that Northern Nigeria acknowledged and commended the current administration’s high performance in fulfilling its electoral promises in several areas, and also appreciated subsisting challenges.

Participants in the summit as well advocates greater commitment to transparency, fairness and equity as elements that would foster national unity and sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy.

It further urged continued collaboration among government, citizens, and all stakeholders as the surest path to peace, justice, and prosperity in the West African country.

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