The United Arewa in Diversity for Development (UADD) has commended the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) for organising a landmark citizen-government engagement summit in Kaduna. The initiative is a significant step towards inclusive governance, national unity, and responsive leadership.
The two-day summit, held from 29 to 30 July 2025 at the historic Arewa House, brought together a wide array of northern stakeholders and top federal officials, including ministers, heads of agencies, and presidential aides. It provided an open forum for assessing the performance of President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s administration and offering candid feedback on national priorities.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Convener/Coordinator, United Arewa in Diversity for Development (UADD) Comrade Jamil Bala Muhammad in Abuja, after reviewing the event.
Muhammad, described the summit as “a hallmark of democratic governance—leaders listening to the governed.” The group noted that the platform enabled meaningful interaction on various pressing issues, from infrastructure and security to healthcare, education, and economic reform.
“The dialogue reflects political maturity and a deep respect for democratic norms. We salute the courage of the Tinubu administration, particularly in sending senior officials of northern origin to participate in such a transparent exercise,” the statement read.
The President’s Special Adviser on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, represented the Presidency at the event, joined by high-ranking figures including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Bala.
State governors, members of the Northern Governors’ Forum, and key stakeholders from ministries, departments, and agencies across the northern region were also in attendance.
UADD specifically praised Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, Director-General of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, for his foresight and patriotic leadership in convening the summit. “This initiative rekindles the legacy of the late Sardauna—consultation, listening, and action,” the statement added.
In its communiqué, the summit outlined several forward-looking recommendations, which UADD urged the federal government to take seriously in shaping future policies.
Key among them were:
Strengthening of agricultural value chains and livestock development, including creation of agro-allied industries to drive economic diversification; Massive investment in education, particularly in northern states, to tackle the region’s out-of-school children crisis;
Promotion of inclusive, community-driven security approaches, complementing military operations with non-kinetic interventions; Accelerated infrastructure development, especially in the road, rail, and power sectors, to address regional disparities; Support regional collaboration, encouraging Northern states to pursue joint development strategies.
UADD said these resolutions reflect the North’s true priorities and expressed optimism that the federal government would integrate them into future decision-making.
The group also called on the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation to institutionalise citizen-government engagement by holding similar forums nationwide.
“We encourage the Foundation and the federal government to continue fostering such open dialogue,” the statement noted. “Rather than viewing scrutiny as a threat, the Tinubu administration has embraced it as a tool for growth and improvement.”
UADD reaffirmed the North’s role as a key stakeholder in Nigeria’s unity and progress, urging all parties to build on the summit’s gains for more inclusive, accountable governance in the years ahead.
