The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has declared that northern Nigeria can no longer remain a “sleeping giant”, as it unveiled plans for an investment and industrialisation summit to revive the region’s economy, harness its vast natural resources, and tackle insecurity and unemployment.
Speaking on Tuesday during Channels Television’s Morning Brief, NEF spokesperson Professor Abubakar Jiddere said the North could no longer afford to ignore its economic challenges or depend on other regions for development.
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“The North contributed immensely to Nigeria right from the colonial era, even politically,” Jiddere stated. “But unfortunately, challenges began to arise—particularly low investments, insecurity, and the collapse of our industries, especially textiles and manufacturing.
This has created unemployment and wider socio-economic problems. The North cannot continue like this; we cannot remain sleeping giants.”
According to him, the upcoming summit will engage the 19 northern governors, policy leaders, and both local and foreign investors in driving sustainable economic growth.
Jiddere stressed that the region remains one of Nigeria’s most resource-endowed, with vast human capital and untapped mineral wealth. “Northern Nigeria is blessed to achieve development over a short time. We are known worldwide for agriculture and manpower, yet we have underestimated over 160 million able-bodied youth,” he said.
He revealed that the NEF had identified 44 natural resources, including lithium, oil, gas, and gold, which remain largely unexploited. “As elders, we have decided to collaborate with our competent governors and the federal government so that we can reclaim the glory of the North,” he added.
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Also speaking on the programme, NEF’s Deputy Director-General, Dr Salisu Mohammed, highlighted the importance of partnerships both within the region and with the South.
“Collaborations between the North and South have already started,” Mohammed noted. “For instance, Lagos and Kebbi partnered on rice production, leading to the creation of Lake Rice. Gombe State has partnered with Rivers State, while Taraba has brought in investors to launch a new airline. The time has come to reactivate our industries.”
The NEF emphasised that its initiative will prioritise reviving agriculture, attracting investments in manufacturing, and developing the solid minerals sector, while addressing insecurity as a central obstacle to growth.
