Northern youths under the aegis of Coalition of North Group (CNG), have expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating standard of living in northern Nigeria.
The group in a statement issued on Saturday by its President, Jamilu Charanchi said the suffering is exacerbated by the recent devaluation of the naira, inflation, removal of petroleum subsidies, increased electricity tariffs, and persistent insecurity.
The group lamented that Nigeria “Is no longer working,” and called for a paradigm shift from government-based to community-driven solutions to tackle the region’s deep-rooted socio-economic challenges.
Speaking at a one-day community engagement themed “Imperative of Popular Participation in Tackling Socio-Economic Challenges Bedeviling Nigeria Through Community Solutions” in Katsina, the group said despite its rich cultural and natural resources, Northern Nigeria remains one of the least developed regions in the country.
He highlighted issues such as poverty, illiteracy, youth restrictiveness, drug abuse, and the collapse of social values as major contributors to the region’s struggles.
Charanchi noted that Efforts to address insecurity, including a two-day roundtable held in Abuja earlier this year, had seen some progress.
However, banditry and other criminal activities continue to rise, pointing to the need for increased community involvement and accountability from northern leaders.
The group also condemned the worsening economic situation, which has left millions of people unemployed and in poverty.
Charanchi cited the recent violent protests across the country as a direct consequence of years of leadership failure, particularly in the northern region.
The group called for a comprehensive reassessment of strategies to address the underlying causes of insecurity and economic hardship, stressing that the solution lies in the hands of the people through community-based initiatives.
In response, the representative of Katsina State Governor, Bala Zango, highlighted Governor Dikko Radda’s administration’s efforts to tackle insecurity and socio-economic challenges.
Zango mentioned that Katsina has employed over 1,500 Community Watch Corps and invested over ₦30 billion in agriculture to improve food security.
Additionally, the government has introduced scholarship programs for indigent students and employed 7,000 teachers to boost education in the state.
The group hopes that with increased community participation, the region can begin to address the challenges of insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment, and move toward a more prosperous future.