The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced plans to establish a N100 billion endowment fund to address major development challenges in Northern Nigeria, focusing on education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.
The announcement was made by the Secretary-General of the Forum, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, during a courtesy visit to the Media Trust Group headquarters in Abuja as part of activities marking the Forum’s 25th anniversary.
Aliyu said the initiative reflects the Forum’s commitment to move from advocacy to direct intervention, especially in underserved communities across the region. “We are not just asking you to publicise it, but we are also asking you to participate in it,” he said, calling on stakeholders and development partners to support the fund.
He explained that the ACF, which has for years relied on member contributions and policy advocacy, now intends to embark on tangible projects that can serve as practical models for sustainable development in Northern Nigeria. “After 25 years, beyond talk, we should be partnering with communities, if it becomes necessary with governments, to carry out some projects that will now be examples for others to follow,” he stated.
According to Aliyu, the initial target for the fund was N10 billion, but stakeholders recommended a higher figure to match the scale of challenges in the region. “Initially, our thinking was N10bn. But then the moneybags looked at us and said, look, this will not look serious. So, they raised it to N100bn,” he revealed.
He noted that the Forum is currently developing a management structure for the fund and identifying priority sectors for investment, with universities expected to play a key role in launching the fundraising campaign.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu, Wazirin Dutse, expressed worry over the growing number of out-of-school children and the continued existence of the almajiranci system. He noted that empowering communities through cottage industries could help reduce poverty and strengthen local economies. “We are in a very dire condition. Security, unemployment, poverty, lack of good leadership, and how we select our leaders. These are going to be part of the things that we want to discuss,” Dalhatu said.
Group Chief Executive Officer of Media Trust, Ahmed Shekarau, commended the Forum’s renewed development focus and assured the company’s support for the 25th anniversary celebration and related projects.
The ACF’s 25th anniversary will be held from November 21 to 23 in Kaduna, attracting leaders, experts, and development partners to strategize on rebuilding and securing the future of Northern Nigeria. “Beyond marking a milestone, the anniversary will serve as a rallying point for action to rebuild communities, empower citizens, and secure the future of Northern Nigeria,” the Forum said.
