Nigeria at Crossroads: Sultan of Sokoto warns of impending crisis

In a solemn address during the 6th Executive Committee Meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, sounded a stark warning about Nigeria’s precarious situation. With a headline-grabbing declaration, he asserted, “Nigeria sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”

The Sultan, who also chairs the council, highlighted the twin challenges of deteriorating socio-economic conditions and escalating insecurity plaguing the nation.

Expressing deep concern for the state of affairs, Abubakar pointed out the alarming levels of poverty and joblessness, particularly in the northern region.

Addressing his colleagues at the Arewa House in Kaduna, he emphasized the urgent need to address the root causes of the crisis. “We must find jobs for our teeming youths that are sitting idle, and I have said it so many times, we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder,” he cautioned, underscoring the explosive mix of unemployment and hunger.

Identifying poverty and insecurity as the twin monsters confronting Nigeria, the Sultan urged immediate action to avert potential catastrophe. He acknowledged the crucial role of traditional leaders in calming the public and providing assurance in these trying times.

Despite recent protests in various parts of the country, Abubakar cautioned against dismissing the concerns of the people. He emphasized that Nigerians, though quiet, are hungry and angry. The Sultan called for meaningful engagement and gainful employment for the millions of unemployed youths as a crucial step toward national stability.

While acknowledging the challenges faced by the current administration, Abubakar refrained from placing blame solely on President Bola Tinubu, asserting that the issues transcend political lines. Instead, he stressed the importance of collective responsibility in finding solutions.

The closed-door meeting, attended by prominent figures including the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Iyerste, delved into pressing issues such as health, insecurity, and poverty in the northern region. With representatives from various influential groups and law enforcement agencies present, the discussions aimed at devising strategies to tackle the multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria.