The northern knot should symbolize collective bargaining — a critical missing piece in Nigeria’s puzzle — and not merely stand as a cultural emblem of uniqueness within the federation. A unified bloc with massive bargaining power ought to prosper on its own strength, not by crying foul or appearing helpless.
Today, the 19 northern states collectively receive a significant share of monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). If these resources were judiciously utilized, they could transform the region’s narrative from poverty to prosperity. Unfortunately, short-sightedness and lack of focus continue to keep the North poor and uncompetitive.
Instead of investing in projects that foster growth, resources are often wasted on flyovers, lavish government houses, repeated refurbishments, grandiose but unproductive projects, religious sponsorships, and symbolic displays that do not improve people’s lives. These choices gradually pauperize the people instead of uplifting them.
The North must draw lessons from Singapore’s survival model, which propelled it from a struggling nation into a first-world economy within decades of independence. With vast cultivable and irrigable land, as well as abundant human resources, Northern Nigeria has the potential to achieve similar transformation — if only leaders and citizens embrace the right focus.
This requires electing disciplined, visionary, and resourceful leaders with zero tolerance for corruption. Only then will the latent strength of the North — like a lion long subdued — truly emerge.
The real challenge is not a lack of resources but a lack of will. We must cut through the excuses and start working in earnest. Whether by free choice today or by existential necessity after 2027, the North must take charge of its destiny.
It is time to stop lamenting and start working assiduously to change our fortunes.
