Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians, particularly Northern youths, to support the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying the measures are beginning to yield tangible benefits.

Akpabio made the call on Sunday when he received a high-level delegation of the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly at his residence in Abuja.

According to a statement issued by the spokesperson of the assembly, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, Akpabio said the reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms, were difficult but necessary measures to reposition the Nigerian economy.

He said the policies had crossed a critical threshold and were beginning to produce positive results.

“I stand before you not merely as a politician, but as a public servant committed to the prosperity of our nation, and particularly this vital region.

“The reforms initiated by President Tinubu are not abstract theories; they are concrete, courageous actions designed to dismantle long-standing structural bottlenecks and unlock Nigeria’s vast potential,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President said the removal of the fuel subsidy and efforts to stabilise the foreign exchange market were necessary to achieve fiscal sustainability and redirect government resources to critical sectors.

“While these measures initially posed challenges, they were the surgical procedures needed to redirect resources into healthcare, education and infrastructure,” he said.

Akpabio further said the reforms were producing early positive indicators, including improved revenue collection, increased investor confidence and renewed interest from international partners.

He urged Northern youths to take an active role in governance and national development, saying young Nigerians should not wait for the future before taking responsibility.

“You are architects of today, not just leaders of tomorrow,” he said.

The Senate President also said the 10th National Assembly was prioritising reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the rule of law, urging young Nigerians to contribute to the process.

“Your innovation and engagement are the lifeblood of these reforms,” Akpabio said.

“We urge you to be critical consumers of information and to engage in constructive dialogue.”

Akpabio warned that abandoning the current reform programme before its consolidation could undermine the gains being recorded.

His comments come amid increasing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the sustainability of Tinubu’s economic policies expected to remain a major issue in the political discourse.

The spokesperson for the Northern Ethnic Groups Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, commended Akpabio for what he described as his efforts to strengthen political understanding between the North and South.

“We commend the Senate President for his accessibility and his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian project,” Dan-Musa said.

“His proactive engagement has rebuilt vital bridges of trust. He has proven that true national leadership transcends ethnic and geographical boundaries.”

The coalition pledged to mobilise at the grassroots to educate Nigerians on what it described as the long-term benefits of the Federal Government’s economic policies.

Dan-Musa said national unity must remain above regional demands and sectional interests.

“National unity is the ultimate anchor of our collective survival.

“No regional sentiment can take precedence over the sovereignty and peace of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

The assembly also pledged to embark on awareness campaigns to explain the government’s economic policies to rural communities, saying such engagement would help address misinformation and improve public understanding of the reforms.