Northern Youths Back Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration On Insecurity, Poverty

A coalition of northern youth groups under the Northern Youth Frontiers has expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following his declaration of insecurity and poverty as national emergencies.

The group described the move as a significant step toward tackling longstanding challenges in the region, noting that insecurity and poverty had continued to hinder peace, productivity, and development across northern Nigeria.

In a statement issued by its chairman, Sama Musa, the coalition characterised the President’s Workers’ Day address as timely and reflective of the realities confronting many Nigerians, particularly in the North. It noted that the declaration aligns with grassroots concerns and represents a turning point in the administration’s policy direction.

The group highlighted several government initiatives aimed at addressing insecurity and economic hardship. Among them is the recruitment of 45,000 young Nigerians into community-based security efforts, which it said would strengthen local safety while creating employment opportunities for youths.

It also pointed to the deployment of 10,000 Agro-Rangers by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps across 19 states, describing the initiative as critical to restoring farmers’ confidence and improving food security, especially in regions affected by banditry.

On economic measures, the coalition acknowledged expanding social safety nets, including cash transfers to 15 million households and efforts to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. It also referenced the reintroduction of gratuity payments from January 2026 and the clearance of pension arrears as steps that provide financial stability for retirees and future assurance for the younger generation.

The group further noted the role of infrastructure projects in job creation, citing the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline as a strategic initiative expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs while boosting industrialisation in northern Nigeria.

It emphasised that the government’s approach links security, agriculture, and economic development, arguing that safer farming environments and increased youth employment would help curb insurgency and criminal recruitment.

However, the coalition urged the Federal Government to sustain the implementation of its policies by ensuring that intervention programmes, including the N200 billion MSME support fund and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme, are accessible to genuine small-scale entrepreneurs and rural farmers.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting government efforts to promote decent work and economic recovery, while calling on labour unions and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue to maintain stability during the reform process.