The Arewa Consultative Forum, a prominent Northern Nigerian organization, has expressed concerns about the region’s development, stating that it “remains essentially a work in progress.”
The forum’s Chairman, Mamman Osuman, made this statement during a visit to Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, emphasizing that the North lags behind in key human development indices.
“Regarding the planned national protest, the ACF is not a party to it and will not support it as it is ill-timed and counterproductive,” Osuman said.
The ACF was established in 2000 by Northern leaders, including state governors, Emirs, Chiefs, and other elders, to promote unity and progress in the region. Despite efforts, Osuman acknowledged that the North still faces significant challenges.
“Today, however, despite our valiant efforts, the achievement of peace, unity and progress in the North remains essentially a work in progress. All the indices that track human progress, most of all poverty, illiteracy, health and security of life and property, tend to place the North at the deep end of the trough. A great deal of work awaits all Northerners,” Osuman stated.
The forum has been actively engaged in articulating and defending the interests of Northern Nigerians, including a recent technical committee review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The ACF’s submission to the National Assembly’s joint committees on Constitution review is based on this report.