President Bola Tinubu has declared that Northern Nigeria is the biggest beneficiary of his administration's economic reforms, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidies. Speaking through the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, at a Policy Roundtable in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that his policies have redirected public funds towards critical infrastructure and productive sectors, thereby alleviating the nation from severe fiscal distress.

During the event, which was part of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series, Tinubu highlighted positive macroeconomic indicators that reflect the impact of his reforms. He noted that Nigeria's gross external reserves had risen to approximately $52.7 billion by August 2026, and the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) experienced a growth of 4.43 percent in the second quarter of 2026, with inflation rates moderating to 15.4 percent. These developments are linked to the administration's ambitious goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

The President pointed to major infrastructure projects such as the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, the Lagos-Kano rail corridor, and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline as transformative assets for the Northern region. Tinubu stated, "The biggest beneficiaries of this economy will be the Northern part of Nigeria, because they will now be trading with countries... The North is the next business destination of Nigeria."

However, his assertions have sparked a mixed response from various regional organizations. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) have expressed their disagreement with the President's assessment, arguing that the current economic policies have worsened poverty, inflation, and the cost of living in Northern communities.

In contrast, the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed the administration's progress, asserting that Tinubu's structural reforms and infrastructure distribution represent a significant improvement over previous administrations.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the APC leadership has also taken the opportunity to critique opposition proposals, particularly those from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, who has suggested reinstating fuel subsidies. Dr. Isa Yuguda, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the APC Professionals Forum, cautioned that reverting to the old subsidy framework could lead to financial leakages and jeopardize the fiscal stability currently supporting national initiatives like student loans, border security, and regional transport infrastructure.