The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, has revealed that more than 50% of Nigeria's capital budget for 2024 and 2025 has been allocated to projects and programmes across the northern region of the country.
This clarification comes amid criticism from prominent northern leaders who had accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration of marginalizing the North in terms of infrastructure development.
Among the critics were former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, and Bashir Dalhatu, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
Responding to these allegations, Yakubu dismissed the claims as politically motivated, insisting that the federal government remains deeply committed to northern Nigeria's development.
"Contrary to politically motivated narratives, northern Nigeria is not on the margins, it is at the heart of federal investment priorities," he stated.
Major Northern Projects Highlighted
The Budget DG emphasized that resource allocation under Tinubu's leadership is designed to promote balanced growth and national cohesion, pointing to several high-profile projects as evidence.
These include the ongoing Abuja–Kano expressway dualisation and the ambitious ₦12.1 trillion Sokoto–Badagry superhighway, a 1,068-kilometre cross-regional project. For the latter, ₦3.63 trillion has already been approved for early phases in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
Other significant initiatives mentioned by Yakubu include the Kano–Maradi standard gauge railway, the Zungeru–Kano power transmission line, and expansion works on airport runways in Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Katsina.
The government is also boosting agricultural logistics and export capabilities through the construction of inland dry ports in Funtua and Bauchi.
Water Resources and Security Investments
In the water resources sector, Yakubu highlighted significant investments in river basin authorities to support irrigation schemes, flood management, and rural livelihoods, particularly in basins such as Sokoto-Rima and Upper Benue.
Security spending has also seen a major boost, especially in volatile zones across the northern region, according to the Budget Office head.
The DG's statements appear aimed at countering the growing narrative of regional marginalization that has gained traction among some northern political circles in recent months.
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