Nigeria does not lack solutions, what she lacks is implementation

He commended the Forum’s leadership for organising the anniversary summit and mobilising stakeholders across the country, saying their effort demonstrate the region’s capacity for collective action.

This is not just a celebration of 25 years of the ACF,” he said. “It is a programme that is helping to cement the unity of Nigeria. We are all here, Christians, Muslims, people without religion, Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas all under one roof as a united people.”

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on Nigerian leaders to confront the country’s deepening divisions with honesty and renewed commitment to national cohesion, warning that Nigeria’s challenges persist not because of a shortage of ideas but because of weak political will and poor implementation.

Speaking at the closing session of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna, the Sultan said the diverse gathering of political leaders, traditional rulers and civic groups was a reminder that “Nigeria is already united by history” and must not allow rising tensions to erode that foundation.

“This is not just a celebration of 25 years of the ACF,” he said. “It is a programme that is helping to cement the unity of Nigeria. We are all here, Christians, Muslims, people without religion, Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas all under one roof as a united people.”

The Sultan stressed that unity must be built on mutual respect rather than forced conformity, referencing the historic exchange between Ahmadu Bello and Nnamdi Azikiwe.

“When Zik said, ‘Let’s forget our differences,’ Sardauna replied, ‘No, let’s understand our differences.’ That is the key,” he told the audience. “Once we understand who we are, we will be able to work with one another with dignity.”

He cautioned against political antagonism, urging leaders to work collaboratively and support all levels of government, even while holding institutions accountable.

“You do not have to antagonize anyone to get what you want,” he said. “As national leaders, we support governments at all levels and we continue to work and pray for them.”

The Sultan noted that many speakers at the event had echoed similar concerns about insecurity, poverty and governance failures in northern Nigeria. He said these issues persist not for lack of proposed solutions, but because Nigeria has repeatedly failed to put agreed measures into action.

“I have always said we do not lack solutions to our problems. What we often lack is implementation,” he said. “These are the true words we must take home and not only take home, but act upon.”

As the ACF marks a quarter-century of existence, the Sultan urged northern leaders to reflect on the organisation’s past performance and chart a clearer and more effective course for the next 25 years.

“Let this gathering be the opening of a new page,” he said. “Let us ask ourselves: What have we done in the last 25 years? And what must we now do in the next 25 years?”

He commended the Forum’s leadership for organising the anniversary summit and mobilising stakeholders across the country, saying their effort demonstrates the region’s capacity for collective action.

“This shows that when the chips are down, we know where we come from,” he said. “We must continue to work seriously with our brothers and sisters without looking at political angles, because all of us belong to one party: the Party of Nigeria.”

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