ACF silver jubilee: Joint economic strategy panacea to North’s insecurity, poverty – Jigawa Gov
By Faridat Salifu
Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has called on northern leaders to adopt a unified regional development strategy, saying poverty and insecurity in the North require coordinated action rather than isolated state-level interventions.
Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, the governor said the region must strengthen collaboration through institutions like the ACF and the Northern Governors Forum to address the structural factors limiting economic growth.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Namadi said that while security challenges persist, the underlying economic vulnerabilities especially unemployment and rural poverty can only be tackled through shared solutions.
He described the ACF’s 25-year record of dialogue and regional engagement as proof that northern voices can shape national development, adding that the Forum remains a critical platform for mobilising collective action.
The governor said the North’s abundant land, population, and natural resources place it in a strong position to drive growth, but that success depends on aligning state and federal efforts, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and education.
According to him, ongoing reforms supported by the ACF, the Federal Government, and the Northern Governors Forum will help reposition the region for long-term recovery, especially if states commit to implementing policies together rather than in silos.
Namadi pledged continued cooperation among northern governors, saying regional progress will be faster when states pool expertise, share models, and prioritise joint economic planning.
He congratulated the ACF on its silver jubilee and commended the Forum for sustaining conversations that promote unity, peace, and development across the North.
