President Bola Tinubu has called on Northern traditional rulers to deepen their partnership with the Federal Government in tackling insecurity, promoting peace and driving development across the region.
His appeal was conveyed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who represented him at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa State.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fully recognises the strategic role of traditional institutions and remains committed to deepening engagement with traditional rulers in advancing peace, security, national cohesion, and development,” the Minister told the gathering.
The meeting themed “Peace, Unity and Development of the North” brought together traditional rulers, government officials, and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria. It was convened under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
Tinubu, in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, acknowledged that security challenges persist across the country, but the administration had recorded significant gains through sustained military operations, improved intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency coordination among the armed forces and security institutions.
He was emphatic, however, that military force alone would not deliver lasting peace.
“We must also address poverty, unemployment, social exclusion, and the lack of economic opportunities that often fuel insecurity,” he said, pointing to the Federal Government interventions in agriculture, livestock, solid minerals, infrastructure, education financing and small business support as part of a broader strategy.
The President described traditional institutions as indispensable to governance and peacebuilding, citing their grassroots reach and moral authority.
“Across generations, our traditional rulers have served as custodians of culture and values, mediators in times of conflict, and trusted bridges between government and the people,” Tinubu said.
He also called on them to help counter the spread of misinformation, describing traditional rulers as among the most trusted voices in Nigerian society.
President Tinubu used the occasion to highlight several flagship programmes of the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), and targeted support for small and medium enterprises.
He also drew attention to the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, which he described as a landmark intervention aimed at modernising the livestock sector, boosting food security, and reducing farmer-herder conflicts.
On infrastructure, Tinubu spotlighted the Federal Government’s four legacy Highway Projects – the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Calabar-Abuja Super Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe Road Corridor, saying they would improve market access, reduce transportation costs and strengthen national unity.
He also extended condolences over the death of Retired Major General Abubakar Rabe of Katsina State, describing him as a distinguished patriot whose passing was “a painful reminder of the urgent need to sustain our collective efforts against insecurity.
