The Presidency has rejected allegations by former Kano State Governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is neglecting Northern Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development.
Presidential Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, addressed the claims on his official X handle on Friday, describing them as inaccurate.
Kwankwaso, who was the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate in 2023, had accused the Tinubu-led government of favouring the South in project implementation while sidelining the North.
In response, Dare highlighted a number of ongoing initiatives in the North, stating, “The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect. The Tinubu administration has initiated and continued several landmark projects in the North, covering roads, agriculture, healthcare, and energy.”
He cited major infrastructure works such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Road, and the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway aimed at enhancing regional connectivity.
In the agricultural sector, Dare pointed to the $158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain Programme being implemented in nine northern states, as well as the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe.
He also mentioned the World Bank-funded ACReSAL programme focused on restoring over one million hectares of degraded land in semi-arid areas of the North.
On healthcare, he noted upgrades at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and over 1,000 primary health centres.
For transport, Dare listed projects such as the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines and the rehabilitation of Abuja’s light rail system.
He further referenced the ABIBA 50MW Solar Power Station in Kaduna as part of efforts to boost electricity access in the region.
Other key road projects he listed include the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto Dual Carriageway, Kaduna–Jos Single Carriageway, Kano–Kongolam Road, Mararaba–Keffi Road expansion, and Kano–Maiduguri Dual Carriageway, among others.
Dare concluded that within two years, the Tinubu administration had laid the groundwork for long-term development across Northern Nigeria, countering Kwankwaso’s claim of marginalisation.