The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has outlined a 10-point development agenda that its governors would implement across the Northwest, with a focus on reducing the cost of living, strengthening security, expanding access to healthcare and education, creating jobs, and deepening economic integration across the region.

The agenda is designed to address some of the region’s most pressing challenges while building stronger institutions and creating opportunities for citizens, particularly young people and farmers.

Among the key commitments are targeted interventions to reduce fuel costs, a minimum wage of N110,000 for workers in ADC-led states, a regional security network, specialist hospitals across senatorial districts, and measures to improve education, agriculture and youth employment.

The 10 priorities are:

1. Lower Fuel Costs

ADC governors in the Northwest will back a targeted fuel subsidy aimed at reducing petrol prices and easing the burden of transportation on households and businesses.

The policy is intended to reduce transport costs and provide relief to families facing rising living expenses, while supporting economic activity across the region.

 2. N110,000 Minimum Wage

ADC-led states in the Northwest will pay workers a minimum wage of N110,000.

The commitment is aimed at putting more money in workers’ pockets and ensuring that public-sector wages better reflect the realities of the current cost of living.

3. A Regional Security Network

Security will be approached as a regional challenge requiring coordinated action across state boundaries.

ADC governors will establish a joint, technology-enabled security and rapid-response network covering all 21 senatorial districts in the Northwest.

The network will strengthen intelligence sharing, improve early-warning mechanisms and enhance the speed and coordination of responses to security threats.

4. 21 Specialist Hospitals

ADC will establish one specialist hospital in every senatorial district across the Northwest.

The initiative is designed to bring quality specialist healthcare closer to millions of residents and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to access advanced medical services.

The hospitals will form part of a broader effort to improve healthcare delivery and expand access to essential specialist services across the region.

 5. An Education Emergency

The ADC agenda places education at the centre of the Northwest’s development strategy.

ADC governors will work to get more children into school, recruit and train more teachers, and integrate Almajiri and Tsangaya education into the broader education system.

The objective is to reduce the number of out-of-school children while improving access to quality and inclusive education.

 6. Safe Farming Corridors

Agriculture remains central to the Northwest economy, but insecurity has made it increasingly difficult for many farmers to access their farms safely.

ADC governors will secure farming communities and rehabilitate irrigation infrastructure to enable farmers to return safely to their fields and increase agricultural production.

By improving security and agricultural infrastructure, the policy is expected to support food production and contribute to efforts to bring down food prices.

 7. A Northwest Youth Fund

ADC will create a dedicated regional fund to support young entrepreneurs and businesses.

The Northwest Youth Fund will provide greater access to capital for young people seeking to start or expand businesses, with the broader aim of encouraging entrepreneurship, supporting existing enterprises and creating jobs.

 8. Skills and Digital Jobs

Beyond access to finance, ADC will expand opportunities for young people to acquire practical and marketable skills.

The agenda includes expanded vocational training, digital hubs and skills-development programmes designed to prepare young people for employment, entrepreneurship and opportunities in the digital economy.

 9. One Northwest Market

ADC governors will pursue deeper economic integration among the seven states of the Northwest through shared infrastructure, investment and measures to make trade easier across state boundaries.

The vision is to develop a more connected regional market that gives businesses access to larger customer bases, reduces barriers to commerce and makes the Northwest more attractive to investors.

Greater economic integration, the ADC says, will help unlock the region’s collective economic potential and create more opportunities for businesses and citizens.

10. Quarterly Report Cards

Accountability will be a central feature of ADC governance.

ADC governors will publish performance reports every three months, providing citizens with regular updates on government promises, projects and achievements.

The quarterly report cards will enable citizens to track what was promised, what has been delivered and where government has fallen short.

The initiative is intended to strengthen transparency, public participation and accountability in governance.

 A Different Approach to Governance

Taken together, the 10-point agenda represents ADC’s proposed approach to governing the Northwest: one centred on practical relief for households, stronger security, investment in human capital, economic opportunity and measurable accountability.

From reducing transportation costs and improving workers’ wages to securing farms, expanding healthcare and education, creating opportunities for young people and building a more integrated regional economy, the agenda seeks to address immediate challenges while laying the foundation for long-term development.

The quarterly reporting commitment is also intended to ensure that citizens remain at the centre of the governance process, with elected officials regularly required to demonstrate progress against their promises.

ADC says the goal is to build a Northwest where citizens can live and work in greater security, access quality public services and participate more fully in the region’s economic growth.