Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to resist the antics of mischief makers attempting to sow division and undermine Nigeria’s unity.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday when he received a delegation of the ACF led by Ibrahim Dalhatu, chairman of its Board of Trustees, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He urged northern leaders to stand in solidarity with President Bola Tinubu and support the Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that “there is no better time than now for the leaders of the North to unite in supporting efforts by the Tinubu administration to steer the nation out of its current economic and social challenges.”
The Vice President told members of the region’s apex socio-cultural organisation to “resist the antics of a few mischief makers who seek to fragment the unity of Nigeria.”
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He drew a distinction between greed and grievance as propounded by what he described as “architects of modern conflict,” noting that while some agitations arise from genuine grievances seeking justice and fairness, others are fuelled by greed, the desire to exploit disorder for selfish gain.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is committed to “spotting the difference between genuine grievances and greed,” with a view to embracing legitimate calls for equity and inclusion while isolating forces that seek to profit from chaos.
“We have proven time and again that our diversity is our strength — that our differences in tribe, faith, and geography are the very bricks that make this house of destiny we live in. This is why we must continue to resist all attempts to divide us or stir mischief among us. Our future depends on unity, and unity must remain our creed,” he stated.
Shettima dismissed claims of ethnic or religious bias being promoted by peddlers of marginalisation, saying every group, faith, and tribe has a voice under the Tinubu administration.
“What we do as a government is to ensure that every group, every community, every faith, and every voice finds its place in the national conversation. We will never accommodate the marginalisation of any group. Our policies are designed to create opportunities for all — to lift every community through inclusion, education, and enterprise,” he said.
The Vice President assured northern leaders that they remain integral to the Tinubu-led government, which is ready to partner with the ACF in advancing the region’s and the nation’s collective interests.
He said, “The trajectory of the North has been a sobering one. We began as a region defined by stability, vision, and a deep commitment to building bridges across ethnic, religious, and geographic divides. But what we have today is a geography scarred by insecurity, mistrust, and economic decline.
“We cannot afford to allow this chaos to fester. We owe our people the duty of ending the cycle of killings and destruction that have crippled our communities, and of ensuring justice for victims of violence and deprivation.
“This government is yours. Your interests shall always find representation here, for I am one of you. Where there is any shortcoming, you have direct access to me. We exist to serve you, represent you, and uphold the values that make the North an equal stakeholder in Nigeria’s identity.”
Shettima also outlined deliberate efforts being made by the administration to reposition the fortunes of the North, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises education, agriculture, industrialisation, and security as pillars of the region’s revival.
He said the government is reforming education to strengthen local government autonomy and promote access through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has enabled millions of northern students to pursue tertiary education without financial constraints.
“We are expanding vocational and technical training centres to prepare our youth for roles in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology,” he added.
Shettima explained that Nigeria has moved beyond subsistence farming to large-scale commercial ventures transforming the North’s arable land into the nation’s food and industrial backbone.
“We are building agro-processing industries to create jobs and value chains, investing in microfinance systems to support smallholder farmers and MSMEs, and establishing industrial zones in key states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Sokoto to attract textile, leather, and food-processing industries,” he said.
On security, the Vice President reiterated that national security remains the administration’s top priority, noting that coordinated operations have neutralised several notorious bandit leaders and restored relative calm to previously troubled communities.
Earlier, ACF BoT chairman Dalhatu commended the Tinubu administration for its bold reforms and applauded the Vice President’s commitment and support for its achievements.
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“We are proud of what you are doing as Vice President and of this administration’s progress in difficult times. You are doing a good job assisting the President in running the country, and we are always happy to identify with you,” Dalhatu said.
He explained that the ACF delegation visited the Presidential Villa to express solidarity with the government and formally invite Shettima to the forthcoming 25th anniversary celebration of the Forum. The group also plans to launch an endowment fund to drive socio-economic development across the North.
Mamman Osuman, ACF National Executive Committee chairman, said the anniversary would showcase the North’s potential and reaffirm its commitment to a united, prosperous Nigeria, pledging the Forum’s support for the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Other ACF members at the meeting included Vice Chairman Ibrahim Ida; Secretary General Murtala Aliyu; BoT Vice Chairman Ibrahim Mai-Sule; former IGP M.D. Abubakar (rtd); Yayale Ahmed; Abdurahman Danbazau; Beni Lar; Aishatu Ismail; and Christine Gadzama, among others.
