A former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Prof. Usman Yusuf, has made a strong statement, blaming the people of Northern Nigeria for the region’s ongoing economic and security challenges. According to him, the current hardships are self-inflicted and stem from decisions made by the region’s leaders and citizens for selfish gains.
The statement was made during a one-day Consultative Forum organized by the political pressure group Tafjyan Matasan Arewa (Northern Youths Movement) in Bauchi on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Prof. Yusuf, who chaired the event, expressed his frustration at the state of affairs in the North, pointing out that the region is largely responsible for its own difficulties.
He stated, “No Northerner should blame anyone for our current situation. We brought it upon ourselves. In 2015, we voted out the administration under the pretext of Boko Haram, but today, where are we? We had Muhammadu Buhari as President for eight years, and yet the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road, one of the most vital infrastructure projects in the region, remains incomplete.”
Prof. Yusuf’s remarks focused on the idea that Northerners had made poor political choices in the past, which ultimately led to their current economic and security struggles. He referred to the voting pattern in the 2015 and 2023 elections, stating that despite their overwhelming support for certain leaders, the North continues to face underdevelopment and insecurity.
“In 2015, it was the same North that voted for Muhammadu Buhari as President. He spent eight years, but could not complete a single viable project in the region. This present administration, within just one year, has made progress in the southern part of the country. Who are we to blame for this? Ourselves, of course,” Yusuf remarked.
He went further to discuss the dire situation that the North finds itself in, with widespread insecurity, poor educational standards, and underdeveloped infrastructure. According to him, the region suffers because of internal conflicts and a lack of cohesive leadership.
“Our children cannot go to school, farmers cannot work on their farms due to insecurity and banditry. Who are the bandits, and who are the Boko Haram members causing havoc in the region? The truth is, it is our own people causing these issues,” he said.
Yusuf also expressed his disappointment with the political leadership in the North, particularly in the National Assembly, where he believes that elected officials have failed to represent the interests of the region. “We have people in the National Assembly, but they do not speak up for the North. Since the departure of leaders like Gudaji Kazaure, our voice in the federal government has become weak,” he lamented.
He criticized the region’s political figures for their failure to advocate for meaningful change and infrastructure development, pointing out that the North’s problems could have been addressed if the right leaders had been in power. Yusuf recalled a time when Nigeria had leaders who prioritized national progress, building schools, roads, hospitals, and other vital infrastructure. According to him, these leaders focused on improving the country, regardless of the region.
However, he pointed out that this kind of leadership has become rare in the country, particularly in the North. “It was when I came into government that I realized that it was not the work that should be done but how the money must be shared. All my efforts to let them know that the funds allotted to NHIA were for the good of the people fell on deaf ears, but it had to be shared,” Yusuf said.
The former NHIA boss expressed his frustration with the current political climate, where he believes that selfishness and personal interests have taken precedence over the well-being of the people. He believes that this shift in priorities has contributed significantly to the challenges faced by the North.
The speech also touched on the issue of disunity in the region, with Yusuf pointing out that there are conflicting voices, many of which blame external forces for the North’s challenges. He criticized these voices, suggesting that they were part of the problem rather than the solution. He noted that even after the 2023 elections, in which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received overwhelming support from the North, the region continues to suffer from poor governance and a lack of meaningful progress.
“In 2023, over 5 million of the 8 million votes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received came from the North. This means the North chose to be betrayed,” Yusuf argued, pointing out that despite their support for the current president, the region has not seen substantial benefits.
The speech came as part of a broader conversation about the state of the North and the challenges facing the region. Over the years, the North has struggled with poverty, underdevelopment, and insecurity. Despite being home to a large portion of Nigeria’s population and possessing vast natural resources, the region has lagged behind in terms of infrastructure development and economic opportunities.
This situation has led many in the North to voice their frustrations, often blaming the federal government, political leaders, and security agencies for the region’s decline. However, Yusuf’s comments represent a shift in the narrative, urging Northerners to reflect on their own role in the situation and take responsibility for the choices that have led to their current plight.
For many Nigerians, particularly those in the North, Yusuf’s comments will resonate deeply. In recent years, the region has been plagued by the activities of Boko Haram, bandits, and other armed groups, leading to the displacement of thousands and the destruction of vital infrastructure. The government has struggled to contain these threats, and many Northerners feel abandoned by their leaders, who they believe have failed to provide adequate solutions to the crisis.
The call for self-reflection and accountability, as made by Prof. Usman Yusuf, could spark a broader discussion about the role of leadership and political decisions in shaping the future of Northern Nigeria. It also raises important questions about the way forward for the region, with many wondering whether a change in leadership and governance priorities is needed to address the deep-rooted issues of poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment.