Former President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why he gave special attention to Northern Nigeria while in office, saying his actions were rooted in the desire to reduce poverty, promote food security, and secure peace in the Sahel region.
Jonathan made the revelation during the two-day Sahel Governance Forum held in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday. The event was organized by the Government of The Gambia in partnership with the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other international organisations. It focused on rebuilding social cohesion and public trust in the Sahel, a region that stretches across parts of West and Central Africa, including northern Nigeria.
Addressing a high-level audience of African leaders, diplomats, civil society actors, and development experts, the former Nigerian leader said the challenges facing the Sahel and northern Nigeria go beyond terrorism or banditry. He said they are deeply rooted in economic hardship, weak governance structures, and environmental stress.
We must rehabilitate all the irrigation projects in the Sahelian region and even start new ones, because farmers must cultivate at least three times in a year, if you must create wealth in these areas. When people are poor, especially young people, they can do anything to survive,” Jonathan noted.
Jonathan noted that his government, with the support of his then Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (now the outgoing President of the African Development Bank), made deliberate efforts to turn agriculture into a tool for peace and prosperity in northern Nigeria. “When I was president, we started rehabilitating all our irrigation projects in Northern Nigeria,” Jonathan said. “The outgoing president of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, was my minister of agriculture.”
The former president used his speech to draw a strong connection between economic empowerment and peace, insisting that any governance model for the Sahel must prioritize people’s welfare over military actions.
Jonathan’s comments came as part of a broader conversation on the Sahel governance challenges, where several African leaders emphasized the need to shift from reactive policies to inclusive leadership that delivers results.
“The Sahel is rich in natural and human resources,” Jonathan said. “But it will take bold collaboration and people-focused leadership to unlock that potential. We cannot ignore the youth. When people, especially young people, are hungry and jobless, they are vulnerable to anything.”
Gambian President Adama Barrow, who opened the forum, echoed the same concerns. He called for strong regional solidarity to rebuild trust and ensure a peaceful future for Sahelian nations. “This region has great promise,” Barrow said. “But insecurity and weak institutions have kept us behind. Now is the time to act.”
The Sahel Governance Forum was more than just talk. It brought together former presidents, vice presidents, policy experts, academics, and youth leaders to rethink governance in one of Africa’s most volatile regions. One message that resonated throughout was that the Sahel is not just a security crisis—it’s a political and development challenge.
Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UNDP Africa Director, said Africa’s Sahel crisis is less about guns and more about governance.
“We continue to deploy more soldiers, but fewer teachers,” she said. “Over 60% of national budgets in some countries go to security while sectors like education and health suffer. This is not sustainable.”
Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, also warned that democracy in the region must not be reduced to elections alone. “We need discipline, accountability, and results. Without these, we will keep sitting on gold mines while our people remain in poverty.”
In his message, Jonathan emphasized that leadership must be proactive and focused on future generations. He encouraged young people not to chase quick wealth but to be strategic and purposeful. At the same time, he charged African leaders to provide platforms for youth engagement and economic participation.
“Africa must care for her young people because they are the future of the continent,” Jonathan said.
The forum served as a reminder that creating peace and prosperity in the Sahel is possible—but only with deliberate effort. Jonathan’s reflection on his presidency and the reason behind his Northern-focused strategy offered fresh insight into what genuine leadership looks like.
