President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with traditional institutions across Nigeria in a bid to enhance peace, security, national cohesion, and sustainable development.
This was conveyed on Monday in Dutse, Jigawa State, at the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC), where the Federal Government was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
Speaking on behalf of the President, Idris stressed the importance of traditional institutions in governance and national stability.
“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,” he said.
The meeting, held under the theme “Peace, Unity and Development of the North,” brought together traditional rulers and stakeholders from across Northern Nigeria under the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, led by the Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto.
Idris praised the council’s efforts in fostering unity and stability in the region, noting that peace remains essential for development.
“Without peace, development becomes difficult; without unity, progress cannot be sustained. The pursuit of both must remain our collective responsibility,” he said.
On security, he said the government has strengthened coordination among security agencies and intensified operations against armed groups, while acknowledging that lasting peace requires addressing root causes.
“While challenges remain, the administration is sustaining military operations, improving intelligence gathering, and enhancing inter-agency collaboration. At the same time, we recognise that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security operations alone,” he noted.
He added that poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion must also be tackled to prevent insecurity.
The Minister also highlighted key economic and infrastructure initiatives under the administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” including agriculture, solid minerals development, education financing, and support for small businesses. He described the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as a strategic step toward modernising livestock production and reducing resource-based conflicts.
“The ministry represents a strategic intervention in a sector with enormous potential for job creation, food security, export earnings, and national economic growth,” he said.
He further referenced major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, Calabar–Abuja Super Highway, and the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, describing them as investments in both economic growth and national unity.
“Beyond their economic value, they are investments in national unity,” he added.
Idris urged traditional rulers to continue supporting government efforts by promoting truth and countering misinformation in their communities.
“In an age characterised by the rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, traditional rulers remain among the most trusted leaders in our society,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would produce recommendations to strengthen peace, unity, and development across Northern Nigeria and the country at large.