The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says President Bola Tinubu is being misled by state governors about the true extent of insecurity in the country and urged him to engage directly with citizens to understand their realities.

The party, which has been adopted by the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, argued that insecurity continues to plague many areas despite claims by the Tinubu administration.

“I actually think President Tinubu needs to leave the Villa and go on the streets and talk to people and stop listening to this kind of narrative [that insecurity has been degraded] and stop listening to state governors who are just saying what they think they need to say to endear themselves to power rather than tell him the true feelings of the people,” said Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC spokesman, on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.

Abdullahi’s remarks were in response to statements made by presidential spokesman Daniel Bwala, who had said that insecurity had declined under President Tinubu’s leadership.

Bwala, also appearing on the same programme, argued that the security situation had improved since Tinubu assumed office.

He said, “Recently, we’ve been having a series of problems in Benue. Has it not gone down? We have had in Plateau. Has it not gone down? Look at the IPOB issue, unknown gunmen. You know, 2022, 2023, the case of murder there. You know how they were kidnapping people coming to people’s houses in the heart of the town.”

The presidential aide added, “Insecurity has been degraded to a large extent. What we are seeing in Nigeria is criminal tendencies that have no core relationship with whether somebody is governing well or not, because it exists in every part of this world.”

In contrast, Abdullahi criticised Bwala’s assessment, calling it a distortion of the country’s security situation.

“I feel sorry for President Tinubu because if this is the kind of narrative that he gets to hear all the time, then it is natural and obvious that he lives in a bubble,” he stated.

The ADC expressed concern over worsening insecurity nationwide, claiming that numerous communities remain under threat from criminal elements.

The North gave a positive assessment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on Wednesday, following presentations by Federal Executive Council members and top government officials. Those present included the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, and governors such as Northern States Governors’ Forum Chairman Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and host Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna).

The rating followed a two-day roundtable on Government-Citizen Engagement hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna. A communiqué released after the sessions noted that participants praised the government’s effective delivery of electoral promises, particularly in areas such as security and infrastructure.

Participants also urged greater investment in education to tackle the issue of out-of-school children, especially in Northern Nigeria.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris stated that “the verdict from most northern opinion leaders, technocrats, and academics, amongst others, is that the Tinubu Administration is a pro-North in all ramifications – from appointments to spending on the region in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, livestock, housing, and the unprecedented opportunity it offers for the northern youth.” He added that the ministers and agency heads at the event effectively communicated the administration’s achievements.

Four ministers – Atiku Bagudu (Budget and National Planning), Muhammad Ali Pate (Coordinating Minister, Health and Social Welfare), Saidu Alkali (Transportation), and Aliyu Abdullahi (Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security) – presented the government’s accomplishments, providing evidence that the North had benefited significantly from the Tinubu administration.

The gathering was used to evaluate the administration’s performance and to promote inclusive and transparent governance.

The communiqué outlined that SABMF held the session at Arewa House in Kaduna from July 29 to 30, 2025, with the theme “Assessing electoral promises: Fostering Government-Citizen Engagement for National Unity.” Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, represented President Tinubu, while Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties (Office of the Vice President), represented Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Governor Uba Sani served as chief host, and NSGF Chairman Inuwa Yahaya also attended as a special guest. The event was attended by Federal Government representatives, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume, National Security Adviser, FEC members, federal agency heads, Chief of Defence Staff, and other security chiefs from Northern Nigeria.

The engagement brought together government officials, civil society, academics, traditional and religious leaders, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to discuss electoral promises, governance, and strategies to enhance citizen participation in national unity.

Also present were the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation leadership, headed by Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and the Arewa Consultative Forum, led by Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu.

In addition to goodwill messages and opening remarks, the Foundation appreciated President Tinubu for sending a high-level delegation and continuing a tradition of engagement that began in October 2022.

Keynote speaker Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande highlighted regional and national issues, noting their connection to global events. He emphasized Nigeria’s resilience in confronting insecurity, poverty, and educational challenges. He encouraged the North to develop a comprehensive strategy to advance its interests in line with national development objectives.

The session reflected the North’s key role in Nigeria’s political and economic stability, as well as its significant electoral support for Tinubu. The event included plenary discussions on security, governance, economy, agriculture, infrastructure, and human capital development.

Stakeholders commended the government’s effective delivery of its electoral promises, especially in security, infrastructure, and economic reforms.

The summit made the following observations and resolutions:

Key Observations

The administration showed a willingness for dialogue and ongoing engagement with citizens.

The government performed commendably in delivering promises related to security, infrastructure, and economic reforms.

The North plays a significant role in national stability, development, and elections.

The issue of Almajiri and out-of-school children remains a major concern.

Equitable resource allocation is vital for addressing regional imbalances.

Major infrastructure projects are underway, including highways, gas pipelines (AKK), oil exploration (Kolmani), and irrigation schemes.

Developing agricultural value chains and rural industries is important for job creation and food security.

Economic and security reforms must be inclusive and community-focused.

Stronger federal-state cooperation is necessary for regional development.

Key Resolutions

Proposed regular government-citizen dialogue forums at both national and state levels.

Applauded the government’s achievements in key areas like security and infrastructure.

Welcomed more equitable resource allocation to states.

Recommended increased education funding to address the out-of-school crisis.

Called for faster infrastructure development, support for agriculture, and creation of agro-industrial zones.

Endorsed community-driven and inclusive approaches to economic and security policies.

Encouraged collaboration with civil society, traditional, and religious leaders for public advocacy.

Advocated responsible media practices to build trust and unity.

Urged Northern states to strengthen cooperation and their engagement with the federal government.

The summit concluded that the North acknowledges the administration’s strong performance while recognizing existing challenges. Participants called for transparency, fairness, and equity as cornerstones of unity and democracy. They emphasized ongoing collaboration among all stakeholders as essential for peace and prosperity.

The communiqué was signed by SAMF Director General Abubakar Gambo Umar.

Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, urged Northern elites to move past political rivalries and work collectively for regional progress. He expressed concern over the decline in unity and leadership, contrasting the present with the era of leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello.

He emphasized the importance of supporting Northerners in government, noting that they represent broader regional interests. “No politician from the North can claim today that we don’t have people in government. What we need is to own them, guide them, and ensure they act in our collective interest,” Aliyu said.

Coordinating Minister of Health Muhammad Ali Pate revealed that over N20 billion had been disbursed through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to support 4,362 primary health centers across the 19 Northern states and the FCT in the last two years. He also mentioned 274 projects in 35 tertiary hospitals in the region, serving over 4.5 million outpatients and 1.6 million inpatients. Pate affirmed the administration’s commitment to improving health infrastructure nationwide.

Transportation Minister Saidu Alkali said the North is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the administration’s infrastructure agenda. He noted that the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge rail project, which was at 15 per cent completion in May 2023, would be completed next year. He also reported progress on the Kano–Maradi line and the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor, along with the rehabilitation of the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge to boost freight transport and dry port operations in Kano and Kaduna.

Alkali highlighted the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, linking several states, as a flagship project. “The North is not left out. It is reaping big from this government’s infrastructure revolution. From roads and rail to inland ports and power, the evidence is on the ground,” he said.

Minister of State for Agriculture Aliyu Abdullahi said the government inherited a food crisis and responded with targeted, data-based solutions. He insisted that only real farmers now benefit from government programmes. “No more briefcase farmers,” he declared.

He reaffirmed that the food emergency declared by the president remained in effect, with efforts focused on increasing production, stabilizing food prices, and expanding access. The Agro-Pocket initiative cultivated over 133,000 hectares of wheat in 15 Northern states, surpassing its 130,000-hectare target. Over 50,000 hectares were in Jigawa alone.

He added that rice farmers are also being supported under a plan involving 44,500 producers, with improved extension services addressing the poor farmer-to-extension agent ratio.

Abdullahi said a farmer data audit and registry was being created to eliminate intermediaries and ensure direct support. He also highlighted livestock initiatives such as grazing reserves, livestock villages, and shelters, as well as efforts to develop a national dairy policy. He called on the North to resist those who exploit the system at the expense of genuine farmers.

Minister of State for Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo described the Sokoto–Zaria Highway as an economic lifeline, noting that four contractors were actively working on the project.

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that it has increased scholarship grants to Nigerian students at all tertiary levels by 50 per cent.

It described the move as the “landmark reform of Nigeria’s national scholarship programme—its most ambitious overhaul in more than a decade,” aimed at reducing financial pressure on students and families and improving access to quality education nationwide.

The Minister of Education, Olatunji Alausa, made the announcement in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, explaining that the initiative aligns with the government’s strong commitment to building a more inclusive, knowledge-based society.

Alausa stated, “Through the Federal Ministry of Education, the Federal Government has significantly increased scholarship grants across all academic levels, easing the financial burden on students and families, while enhancing access to quality education for all. This initiative is a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places education at the heart of Nigeria’s transformation into a $1 trillion economy.

“To tackle the rising costs of education and to ensure that no deserving student is left behind, scholarship amounts have been increased by 50 per cent across the board. PhD students will now receive ₦750,000 annually (up from ₦500,000), Master’s students ₦600,000 (from ₦400,000), and undergraduate, HND, and NCE students ₦450,000 (up from ₦300,000).”

He said the updated programme focuses on merit, equity, and alignment with national development goals, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical Sciences (STEMM), and vocational training.

He continued, “These enhanced awards apply to all major programmes, including the Nigerian Scholarship Award. As earlier pledged, we have also restructured the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship scheme.

“While existing beneficiaries will continue to receive their entitlements, funds previously earmarked for new international awards have been repurposed to introduce two new strategic scholarship categories under the national programme. The first targets students in public polytechnics pursuing STEM and vocational training, with ₦1 billion allocated to this group.

“The second is tailored for students studying Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy in public universities, also supported with ₦1 billion. These new categories reflect our commitment to investing in high-impact sectors critical to national development.”

He said the government has adopted a new allocation model designed to promote fairness and maximise results.

According to him, the new structure allocates 50 per cent of scholarships to undergraduate students, 25 per cent to Master’s students, and 25 per cent to PhD candidates.

“Of each category, 70 per cent of awards will support students in STEMM disciplines, while 30 per cent will support the Social Sciences. In a deliberate move to foster inclusion, five per cent of all scholarships will be reserved for students with disabilities,” he said.

He revealed that more than 15,000 students are projected to benefit from the Nigerian Scholarship Award, Education Bursary Award, and the revamped BEA programme.

He said implementation will be managed by the Federal Scholarship Board, working alongside an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary.

Alausa added, “This committee includes representatives from the National Assembly, Federal Character Commission, Ministry of Women Affairs, and other key institutions to ensure transparency and accountability. With a total budget of ₦6 billion allocated for the 2025–2026 cycle, this reform is more than a policy—it is a bold national investment in our youth, our future, and our collective prosperity.

“We are not just funding education—we are building the human capital foundation for Nigeria’s long-term success. I remain fully committed to ensuring this renewed scholarship programme delivers on its promise, and I call on all stakeholders—students, parents, institutions, and the broader public—to work with us in realising the full potential of this transformative initiative.”