The Presidency has dismissed allegations by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is sidelining Northern Nigeria in infrastructure development.
Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, responded to the claims via his official X handle on Friday.
Kwankwaso, the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, had accused the Tinubu administration of favouring the South while ignoring the North in terms of federal projects.
Dare refuted the claim, stating that several landmark projects are ongoing across the North in sectors such as roads, healthcare, agriculture, transport, and energy.
He highlighted infrastructure projects like the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Expressway, Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Road, and the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway as proof of northern investment.
In agriculture, Dare cited the $158.15 million Agriculture Value Chain Programme operating in nine northern states, as well as the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe.
He also pointed to the World Bank-funded ACReSAL initiative, which is restoring over one million hectares of degraded land in the North.
Healthcare projects mentioned include upgrades to Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, and over 1,000 primary health centres.
For transport, Dare listed major rail and road projects such as the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, Abuja light rail rehabilitation, and several key highways including the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto and Kano–Kongolam roads.
Energy projects like the ABIBA 50MW Solar Power Station in Kaduna were also cited as efforts to boost electricity access in the region.
Dare said the administration has, in less than two years, established a strong foundation for long-term development in Northern Nigeria, rejecting claims that the region is being neglected.
