Northern governors must rise beyond roads and classrooms

Recently, Hon. Salihu Tanko Yakasai drew attention to the Lagos State Government’s commissioning of a leather-processing company projected to employ 10,000 people, directly benefit 150,000, and generate $250 million annually in revenue. His detailed report rightly exposed a bitter truth: while Lagos is creating wealth from resources largely sourced from Kano and Sokoto, northern states […]

Recently, Hon. Salihu Tanko Yakasai drew attention to the Lagos State Government’s commissioning of a leather-processing company projected to employ 10,000 people, directly benefit 150,000, and generate $250 million annually in revenue. His detailed report rightly exposed a bitter truth: while Lagos is creating wealth from resources largely sourced from Kano and Sokoto, northern states remain idle.

This reality begs the question—why are northern governors failing to harness the resources at their disposal?

For too long, state governments in the North have mistaken development for construction. They commission classrooms, build roads, and cut ribbons on bridges. These are important, yes, but they are not transformative. Without industries and factories to add value to our natural resources, these projects remain cosmetic—they do not create jobs at scale, nor do they generate sustainable wealth for our people.

The North is richly blessed. Kano and Sokoto alone are the backbone of Nigeria’s hides and skins industry, supplying raw materials that luxury brands in Italy and Spain convert into high-end shoes and handbags. Our young artisans in Kofar Wambai are already producing leather shoes that could compete with imports, if only they had the backing of modern industrial infrastructure. Yet, rather than build factories that would give these youths a future, governors remain locked in short-term projects that win applause but do not solve unemployment.

Meanwhile, Lagos has taken the initiative. With a single leather factory, it has done what Kano or Sokoto could not: create a vision for industrialisation that secures jobs, raises revenue, and builds prosperity for its citizens. The raw materials may come from the North, but the benefits remain in Lagos. This is not Lagos’ fault—it is Lagos’ foresight. The blame lies squarely with northern leadership that has failed to do the same.

The larger issue here is accountability. Too often, northern electorate direct their frustrations solely at the president, while ignoring the failures of governors. Yet, every state receives monthly allocations. Every state has the constitutional authority to drive development. It is time our citizens demand more from those closest to them.

The path forward is clear: governors must shift from ceremonial projects to industrial ones. They must prioritise factories, agro-processing plants, and value-addition industries that match our abundant resources. Kano’s hides should not only leave as raw exports; they should return as globally branded shoes, bags, and belts manufactured in Kano. Our cotton should not just feed foreign textile mills; it should revive our own.

But this will not happen unless the electorate start asking hard questions: Where is the money allocated to our state going? What long-term industries have been established? How many jobs have been created? Until governors are held accountable for industrial progress, the North will remain a supplier of raw materials while others reap the rewards.

Hon. Yakasai’s report is a wake-up call. The future of Northern Nigeria depends on leadership that turns resources into wealth and youth into a workforce. The president alone cannot deliver that. It begins—and must begin—with our governors.

 

Khuraira Musa, wrote from Abuja