The 19 Northern governors recently described the #EndBadGovernance protests as a crucial wake-up call for Northern leaders, emphasizing that youth discontent stems from poverty, limited education, and lack of job opportunities.
During a meeting in Kaduna, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya underscored the need for a proactive response.
“Our youth are demanding change, and we must respond,” he said. “To address the causes of youth unrest, we need to invest in education, skills training, and job creation. By building avenues for young people to engage in productive activities, we can reduce their vulnerability to crime and negative influences.”
Governor Yahaya’s comments were made at a gathering of Northern leaders, traditional rulers, including the Sultan of Sokoto, and military officials such as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa. The meeting focused on addressing the economic and security challenges affecting the region.
Yahaya also highlighted the stark economic inequality between the North and South and called for urgent intervention.
“Economic hardship is a reality for many Nigerians, but it is especially pronounced in northern Nigeria. We must adopt measures to ease this burden, including social welfare programs, support for small businesses, and policies that draw investment into our states. Working with the Federal Government to ensure that fiscal policies reflect current challenges is also essential,” he added.
The NSGF communique commended recent successes in combatting criminal activities, with specific recognition of General C.J. Musa’s leadership in national security efforts. The Forum pledged to sustain peace initiatives and tackle ongoing regional challenges.
Following the August protests, the Forum resolved to step up efforts to address youth unrest by focusing on education, job creation, and positive engagement for young people. The communiqué stated, “In response to the recent protests, we will intensify efforts to address the root causes of youth restiveness, including investments in education, skills training, and productive channels for youth engagement, to reduce their vulnerability to crime and social issues.”
