Tinubu Promises To Address Insecurity In Northern Region

President Bola Tinubu has said that the security challenges confronting Nigeria, particularly the northern region, will soon be overcome.

He said that his administration has put in place decisive measures to end the activities of criminal groups across the country.

The President made the remarks on Saturday in Kaduna during the Third Late General Hassan Usman Katsina Memorial Conference, where he was represented by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari.

Paying tribute to the late General Hassan Usman Katsina, Tinubu described him as a symbol of humility, discipline, patriotism and selfless service.

He said the former military governor of the defunct Northern Region and later Chief of Army Staff played a significant role in promoting national unity and strengthening Nigeria during critical periods of its history.

According to the President, General Katsina’s commitment to the country’s unity helped lay the foundation for the democracy and freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the nation and preserving the legacies of past national heroes.

“While we continue to work day and night to secure our nation, by the grace of Allah, the challenges of insecurity confronting us, particularly in Northern Nigeria, will soon be behind us,” he said.

The President also outlined several initiatives undertaken by his administration to improve education, infrastructure, transportation and energy across the country.

In the education sector, he said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had enabled more than one million students to access higher education by providing financial support.

He added that the removal of tertiary institutions from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) had strengthened institutional autonomy and contributed to sustained industrial peace within public universities.

Tinubu further noted that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) had financed the construction of classrooms, laboratories, hostels and research facilities in several states, while the government has introduced a new national curriculum, expanded teacher training programmes and invested heavily in technical and vocational education.

He also announced the establishment of new federal universities and polytechnics in different parts of the country.

On infrastructure, the President said work was progressing on major road projects, including the reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, the Sokoto–Zamfara–Kaduna Road and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road, all aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activities.

Addressing the power sector, Tinubu highlighted ongoing projects such as the Kaduna Power Station, the 40-megawatt Kumbotso High Voltage Power Project and the revitalisation of the 215-megawatt Kaduna Power Plant.

He also said the Federal Government was expanding solar energy infrastructure through the installation of over 1,500 solar-powered streetlights and 50 mini-grids in rural communities.

The President announced that the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies in Kaduna had been upgraded to a full-fledged university named after General Hassan Usman Katsina, adding that the institution is more than 90 per cent complete and has already commenced academic activities.

He also disclosed that the government was developing the 1,350-megawatt Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant to improve electricity supply in Northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, while renewable energy projects are being implemented to serve off-grid communities.

On transportation, Tinubu said construction of the Kaduna–Kano Rail Line and the Kano–Maradi Rail Project was advancing steadily.

He added that funding had been provided for the Kaduna and Kano Light Rail projects, while rehabilitation of the Abuja Metro Rail and the upgrade of the Abuja–Kaduna train service are also underway to improve the movement of passengers and goods.

The President said the various projects reflected his administration’s commitment to improving security, expanding economic opportunities and accelerating national development.