The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) marked its 25th anniversary recently, but the milestone was overshadowed by renewed insecurity in northern Nigeria and widespread criticism of the organisation’s performance over the past two decades.
Rather than celebrations, the anniversary coincided with multiple abductions of students and worshippers in northern states, prompting the closure of schools in a region already recording one of the world’s highest out-of-school populations.
Observers noted that the organisation formed to protect northern political, economic, and cultural interests has failed to meet expectations, despite the influence and privilege enjoyed by its members.
At inception, ACF was expected to consolidate the legacy of early northern leaders such as Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa through education, industrial development, agriculture, and regional unity. Critics now argue that instead of advancing those goals, northern elites became increasingly entitled, disconnected from the masses, and focused on personal gains.
The failure to preserve unity, analysts say, has further fractured the region along ethnic, economic, and religious lines. Once seen as cohesive, the north now faces deep divisions, particularly between Hausa-Fulani groups and minorities in the Middle Belt.
In contrast to earlier decades when religious and ethnic identity mattered less in public appointments, commentators warned that intolerance has grown, eroding the inclusiveness that once defined northern leadership.
As a result, insecurity, poverty, and social decline have deepened. The region now hosts millions of internally displaced persons, has one of the highest birth rates globally, and suffers low access to education—especially for girls. The prevalence of the almajiri system has also been blamed for leaving large numbers of youths without family structure, education, or employment.
Stakeholders argue that while federal government responsibility cannot be ignored, northern leaders failed to foresee regional instability and respond to early warning signs from the Sahel.
Analysts say the future of the region hinges on leadership willing to confront religious extremism, rebuild unity, and prioritise education and economic development over personal and political interests.
As one of the region’s most influential stakeholder bodies, the ACF is now under pressure to redefine its role to remain relevant in addressing northern Nigeria’s worsening social and security crises.
