2 years of Tinubu: Northern Nigeria battles hardship, hopes for healing amid economic reforms

On Thursday, May 29, as Nigeria marks the mid-term of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the mood across Northern Nigeria is anything but celebratory.

Two years into what was heralded as a reform-driven presidency, the region finds itself straddling a difficult line between enduring economic pain and clinging to promises of a better tomorrow.

President Tinubu’s boldest move came just minutes into office: the removal of fuel subsidy. Though long anticipated—and initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari—it triggered a cascade of economic aftershocks that have hit northern communities hard.

“Millions are in the same sinking boat”

Muhammad Taoheed, a researcher in Abuja, describes the fallout as “devastating.”

“The prices of essentials have skyrocketed. Transport alone gulps so much of my income despite the fact that I work virtually sometimes. It’s not just me—millions of Nigerians are in the same sinking boat.”

Hajara Abdullahi, a Kano-based trader, says federal interventions like palliatives and social programs have failed to match the severity of the hardship.

“The hardship keeps biting harder because the government has failed to provide a concrete and effective measure to cushion the effects.”

Small businesses folding under pressure

In Kano and Sokoto, formerly thriving small industries are collapsing under the weight of rising fuel costs, unstable power supply, and the volatile foreign exchange market.

Ahmad Bello, once employed at a leather-printing factory, shared how quickly his livelihood vanished.

“Our Oga said he couldn’t afford to keep all of us. He kept the old staff and fired us – new workers. Now, I do odd jobs to survive. Life has become something else.”

Stories like Ahmad’s have become alarmingly common, fueling resentment in the region.

Accusations of southern favoritism

For many, the economic woes are compounded by what they perceive as regional marginalization. Political analyst Muhammad Tukur Ibrahim pointed to the apparent stagnation of oil exploration in the North, which saw a promising start under Buhari.

“Tinubu came in and started well, but now that project is dead. Why? Because it’s not in the South. This government plays favoritism.”

His sentiments reflect broader dissatisfaction with what some see as a southern tilt in both federal appointments and infrastructure distribution—claims that have surfaced periodically in debates over national equity.

Signs of hope amid the discontent

Not everyone, however, is ready to write off Tinubu’s presidency.

Baba Abdullahi Machina, from Yobe, welcomed the proposed ₦70,000 minimum wage, calling it a bold step in responding to the current cost of living.

“It’s a clear attempt to adjust to the new cost of living and improve workers’ welfare.”

He also praised moves like local government financial autonomy and the newly launched student loan scheme, which he said could open doors for many low-income families—if corruption is checked.

“Policies must reach the grassroots”

Aminu Abdullahi, a social commentator in Kano, acknowledged some of Tinubu’s youth empowerment programs such as the 3MTT (Three Million Technical Talent) initiative. But he warned that poor implementation risks leaving rural communities behind.

“There’s potential in the 3MTT program, and several other youth empowerment initiatives. But the impact has been uneven, and many rural communities are still excluded.”

He stressed the importance of transparency and equitable distribution, warning that even well-intentioned reforms can deepen inequality if not managed properly.

Security: still a national sore point

Despite increased defense spending and new tactical deployments, security remains fragile in the North. From banditry in Zamfara to kidnappings in Katsina, rural communities remain trapped in fear.

Umar Rufai, a resident of Katsina, painted a grim picture:

“We hear about new fighter jets and tactical operations, but in some rural areas, farmers are still paying bandits to access their lands.”

“We want solutions, not suffering”

As President Tinubu presents his two-year scorecard to the nation, voices like Ahmad Bello’s are growing louder.

“We want the government to impact our lives positively and not to make decisions that make every day a daily struggle for the masses.”

With two more years left in his first term, Tinubu faces mounting pressure—not only to deliver on economic recovery but to rebuild trust in northern communities that feel increasingly marginalized by the federal government’s policies. Whether he can turn hardship into healing remains the defining question of his presidency’s second half.