Akpabio to Northern Youths: Back Tinubu’s Reforms Despite the Pain

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on northern youths to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and embrace its economic reforms, saying the measures may be painful but are necessary to put Nigeria on a stronger economic footing.

Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, where he defended some of the administration’s most controversial economic decisions, including the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.

According to him, the reforms were introduced to tackle structural weaknesses that had held the Nigerian economy back for years and create room for sustainable growth.

“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region,” Akpabio told the delegation.

The Senate President described the reforms as deliberate and courageous steps aimed at removing what he called longstanding economic bottlenecks and unlocking the country’s vast economic potential.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential,” he said.

Akpabio acknowledged that the policies had imposed difficulties on Nigerians, particularly in their initial stages, but argued that the sacrifices were necessary to redirect government resources towards critical sectors of the economy.

“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

He further claimed that the reforms were already producing encouraging signs, including stronger government revenue, improved investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

Against this backdrop, Akpabio urged northern youths to move beyond waiting for future leadership opportunities and become active participants in shaping the country’s present and future.

“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he told the youths.

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The Senate President also said the 10th National Assembly was committed to supporting reforms that would strengthen transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law.

He encouraged young Nigerians to engage with the reform process through innovation, responsible civic participation and constructive criticism rather than relying on misinformation.

“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms. We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue,” Akpabio said.

Responding, spokesperson for the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, praised the Senate President for what he described as his efforts to improve political understanding and cooperation between northern and southern Nigeria.

Dan-Musa commended Akpabio’s accessibility and engagement with northern stakeholders, saying such interactions could help rebuild trust across the country’s regional and ethnic divides.

“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project. His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries,” he said.

He stressed that national unity must remain at the centre of Nigeria’s political affairs, warning that regional interests should not be allowed to undermine the country’s sovereignty and peace.

“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival. No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Dan-Musa said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he identified three areas that would guide the group’s political engagement: sustained consultations with northern youth organisations, grassroots education on federal fiscal policies and an unwavering commitment to national cohesion.

The meeting comes as political stakeholders across the country intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 elections, with northern youth groups increasingly becoming a key constituency in discussions around governance, economic reforms and political participation.