KACRAN urges northern governors to adopt Buni’s economic blueprint, seeks FG’s soft loans

By Philippine Duru

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The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has challenged the 18 Northern governors to adopt the commercial development blueprint of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, as a strategy to tackle worsening unemployment, insecurity and economic decline across Northern Nigeria.

The association also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to introduce accessible soft loans and special intervention funds to support traders and entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in newly constructed modern markets.

KACRAN said the intervention would stimulate commercial activities, create employment opportunities, reduce insecurity and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Khalil, the association lamented the deteriorating economic and security situation in Northern Nigeria, describing it as a sharp departure from the region’s prosperous past.

It recalled that between the 1960s and 1990s, Northern Nigeria enjoyed relative peace, economic prosperity, strong communal relationships and a thriving commercial environment that attracted investors and traders from across Nigeria and beyond.

According to the association, the region was once renowned for its hospitality, trustworthiness, agricultural productivity and economic opportunities, which enabled young people to establish businesses and secure employment with relative ease.

KACRAN expressed concern that insecurity, industrial collapse, unemployment and growing ethnic, religious and political mistrust had undermined these achievements.

It particularly lamented the devastating impact of insurgency on farming, livestock production and fishing, warning that the increasing number of unemployed youths posed serious threats to food security and national stability.

“Anyone who knew the North of Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, and sees the North of today, must shed tears and begin to think deeply on how to restore its lost glory and make it compete favourably with any region in the world,” the statement said.

The association identified Governor Buni’s investments in commercial infrastructure as a practical model for reversing the region’s economic decline.

It commended the governor for investing billions of naira in the construction of modern markets, trailer parks and agricultural processing facilities despite the security challenges that have affected Yobe State over the years.

KACRAN disclosed that the Buni administration had embarked on the construction of 19 modern markets across the state’s 17 local government areas.

According to the association, markets have been completed in Potiskum, Damaturu, Gashua, Nguru, Gaidam and other major towns, while projects in several other locations are at advanced stages of completion.

It explained that Gujba and Fune local government areas were among those designated to benefit from two modern markets each.

The association further disclosed that the administration had constructed a trailer park in Potiskum, while another facility was under construction in Damaturu to strengthen transportation and commercial activities.

It also highlighted the establishment of four sesame seed cleaning and packaging factories in Nguru, Machina, Damaturu and Potiskum as part of efforts to promote agricultural industrialisation and create employment opportunities.

KACRAN maintained that the projects had stimulated economic activities, restored confidence among business operators and generated thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The association particularly praised the state’s Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals, Hon. Kaigama Umar, for what it described as his commitment to the implementation of the governor’s economic development agenda.

It said Umar’s administrative experience and relationship with the business community had contributed significantly to the execution of the projects.

Calling for the replication of the initiative across the North, KACRAN said the region urgently needed deliberate investments in commercial infrastructure, industrial development and employment generation.

“On this note, KACRAN passionately challenges the 18 Northern Governors to adopt Governor Buni’s Commercial Revolution Blueprint as a workable template to revive the economy of the entire Northern Nigeria,” the statement said.

The association stressed that infrastructure development alone would not achieve the desired economic transformation without adequate financial support for traders, small businesses and entrepreneurs.

It consequently appealed to the Federal Government to establish financing arrangements that would enable business operators to access affordable credit and expand their operations.

“We also urgently call on His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to complement this laudable effort by providing accessible soft loans and special intervention funds for businessmen and women who have now secured befitting modern markets.

“This will boost their capital, create millions of jobs along the commercial value chain, drastically reduce insecurity, and significantly increase our nation’s GDP,” KACRAN stated.

The association expressed optimism that similar investments across the 18 Northern states, complemented by financial support for businesses, could help revive the region’s commercial activities and reduce the economic pressures contributing to insecurity.

It also commended the Permanent Secretary of the Yobe State Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Tourism and Solid Minerals, the ministry’s directors, the Managing Director of the Yobe State Investment Company, general managers and other officials for their roles in supervising the projects.

KACRAN urged political leaders across the region to prioritise economic recovery, job creation and sustainable commercial development over political differences.

It maintained that the economic transformation being pursued in Yobe State should serve as a broader development model for Northern Nigeria and the country.

“This revolution is not just for Yobe, it is for the North and for Nigeria,” the association declared.I can also make the story more investigative and compelling, with a stronger opening focusing on how insecurity, unemployment and the collapse of industries have devastated Northern Nigeria, before introducing Governor Buni’s economic revival programme.