Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked northern youths to back President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the tough policies are deliberate steps to reset Nigeria’s economy.
Akpabio made the appeal on Saturday in Abuja while meeting with a delegation from the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly.
He said the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market were not easy decisions, but they were necessary. According to him, the measures are like surgical procedures meant to clear long-standing structural problems and free up money for healthcare, education and infrastructure.
“It is painful at first, but it is how we reposition the country,” Akpabio said. “These are concrete, courageous actions designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast potential.”
He added that early signs are already showing. Revenue collection has improved, investor confidence is rising, and international partners are showing renewed interest, he said.
Akpabio also told the youths not to wait to take part in governance.
“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he said. He urged them to engage in constructive dialogue, verify information, and support the 10th National Assembly’s push for transparency, accountability and rule of law.
Responding, the spokesperson of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, praised Akpabio for building trust between the north and south.
“His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries,” Dan-Musa said.
Dan-Musa said the group will focus on three things ahead of 2027: consulting northern youth structures, educating communities on federal fiscal policies, and pushing for national cohesion.
“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,” he added.
