The North-Central People’s Forum has voiced intense disappointment at the recent announcement that the North-Central geopolitical zone will be excluded from the N2.4 trillion budget allocated for regional commissions in 2025.

Expressing frustration on behalf of the Forum, Secretary-General Mr Khaleel Bolaji criticised the oversight, highlighting the region’s ongoing marginalisation within national development frameworks.

Bolaji pointed out that it was unexpected for allocations to be made to regions without securing final presidential approval for their commissions. He believes this situation should also apply to the South-West and North-Central zones.

“We urgently call for the inclusion of the North-Central in this vital budget,” Bolaji stated, emphasising the need for equitable development that encompasses all regions of the country.

His remarks have sparked considerable debate among political leaders, underlining the discontent felt within the North-Central region.

Comprising six states and the Federal Capital Territory, the North-Central has long been viewed as a central player in fostering national unity due to its diverse ethnic composition and strategic position within Nigeria.

Bolaji emphasised that the region has made significant contributions to the nation’s political, economic, and social fabric yet continues to seek appropriate representation and resource allocation.

The exclusion from the 2025 budget highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive approach to development, a sentiment echoed by various political and community leaders.

A regional spokesperson, Mr. Sule-Dickson Audu, underscored the challenges faced by the North-Central, including insecurity, environmental issues, and economic hardships, and suggested that the omission could have been an oversight.

Audu urged the inclusion of a North-Central Development Commission to help address these challenges and support state and federal government efforts.

Activists and local leaders hope this issue will be rectified before finalising the budget. As discussions surrounding the budget continue, the North-Central region has a unified demand for fair treatment and recognition of its developmental needs.

In its current form, the budget includes substantial allocations for other regions: N585.9 billion for the North-West Development Commission, N498.4 billion for the South-West, N341.2 billion for the South-East, and N291 billion for the North-East.

However, the lack of funding for the North-Central has raised significant concerns about fairness and adequate political representation.

With the National Assembly currently reviewing the budget, there is a hopeful expectation that necessary amendments will be made to rectify this exclusion, promoting a spirit of equity and national development.

The 2025 budget of N2.4 trillion for regional commissions has sparked outrage over the exclusion of the North-Central geopolitical zone.

 

The budget, which made significant allocations for other regions reportedly left out the North-Central, fueling calls for more inclusion and equity.

 

The budget proposal saw N585.9 billion allocated for the North West Development Commission, N498.4 billion for the South West Development Commission, N341.2 billion for South East Development Commission and N291billion for the North East Development Commission.

 

However, no provision was made for the North-Central region, thereby raising concerns about fairness and political representation.

 

Reacting to the development, the North-Central People’s Forum, through its Secretary-General, Mr. Khaleel Bolaji expressed frustration with the exclusion.

 

Bolaji who highlighted the region’s long history of marginalisation, said it was not expected that allocations would be made to regions without final presidential approval of their commissions, which he believes should have been the case for the South-West and North-Central.

 

He called for the North-Central’s inclusion in the budget while emphasizing the need for equitable development across all regions.

 

He said, the region with its six states and the Federal Capital Territory, has long been seen as a critical player in maintaining the unity of the country, with its diverse ethnic groups and strategic location at the heart of the nation.

 

Similarly, the spokesmen of the region, Mr. Sule-Dikcson Audu said the North-Central has faced numerous challenges, including insecurity, environmental crises, and economic setbacks.

 

Noting that the exclusion could have been an oversight, Audu advocated for the inclusion of the region in the budget to ensure fair treatment in national development.

 

He explained that the North-Central Development Commission would complement the efforts of the state and federal governments, especially in addressing regional development challenges.

 

With the budget still under review, there is an opportunity for the National Assembly to make amendments and make provisions for the North-Central Development Commission.

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum commissioned the remodelled Borno State Hotel in Maiduguri on Monday.

The remodelled State Hotel showcases contemporary design and traditional Borno architecture. It has upgraded facilities, including a state-of-the-art conference hall, luxurious suites, and a restaurant that serves local Borno and international cuisine.

Speaking to journalists after the brief ceremony, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum noted that the project will foster economic growth, create job opportunities for the youth and generate revenue for the state.

Zulum also announced that his administration has started reconstructing the Maiduguri International Hotel, owned by the Borno State Government.

“The State Hotel has been rehabilitated very well; my administration is working towards investment that can sustain the state even without federal allocation; one way we can do this is by ensuring that we revive most of our moribund institutions, which is one of them.

“We shall diversify our investment to earn revenue aside from the normal statutory allocation from the federation account. Within the remaining time as the governor of Borno State, we will invest in sectors that will yield more dividends to the government,” the Governor stated.

Zulum strongly warned that management should ensure that all services rendered to the government, public officials and politicians are duly paid.

The Secretary to the Borno State Government, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, the Head of Service, Barrister Mallam Fannami, commissioners, and other senior government officials attended the occasion.