Experts Demand Strategic Economic Reforms for Northern Nigeria at 2025 Arewa Stars Awards
Policy experts, government officials, and stakeholders have issued a collective call for deliberate interventions to revive the economy of Northern Nigeria, emphasizing that the region’s future depends on intentional reforms in governance, education, and inclusivity.
The call was the centerpiece of the 2025 Arewa Stars Awards (ASA) held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano. The event, organized by Arewa Agenda—a subsidiary of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential—serves as a premier platform for recognizing young achievers driving positive change across the 19 northern states.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, stressed that repositioning the North requires a fundamental shift in leadership priorities.
Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, stressed the need for intentional reforms in governance, education, and youth and women empowerment to reposition the region economically.
He said strengthening justice, prioritising education, and promoting transparency and accountability in leadership were critical to changing negative narratives about Northern Nigeria and achieving sustainable development.
Rafsanjani also emphasised the importance of deliberate policies that empower women, noting that inclusive development remained central to long-term economic stability in the region.
In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, commended Arewa Agenda for recognising young achievers who are positively impacting society.
He described the initiative as timely and pledged the support of the Kano State Government for future editions to ensure the awards become more impactful and far-reaching.
The Chief Executive Officer of IMPR, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, reaffirmed his commitment to the initiative, describing the awards as a vital tool for inspiration in a region facing significant development hurdles.
He said the recognition was not only about celebrating success but also about encouraging young people to do more and contribute meaningfully to the region’s progress.
Dahiru Mohammed Lawal, Convener of the Arewa Stars Awards, added that the platform is built on the values of service, innovation, and leadership.
The 2025 edition honored several exceptional young professionals, including: Hajiya Rukayya Khalid as Innovator of the Year for for pioneering electric tricycle manufacturing; Abdulhaleem Ringim on Governance and Public Policy for his contributions to regional economic policy initiatives and Nafisa Abdullahi Aminu as Teen Star of the Year for her international academic performance in London.
Other awardees included: Maimuna Musa Agaka for Academic Excellence, Tijjani Gandu for Politics, Hidaya Mahmud for Poetry, Aisha Buhari for Catering, Nana Sule for Publication, Yahuza Bawage for journalism, Ameer Lukman Haruna for Tourism and Bayero Yayandy for Advocacy.
Other recipients included Fareed Ibrahim for Humanitarian service, Najib Shehu for Sports, Nasiba Babale for Arts and Culture, Ishaq Alhassan Qauran Mata Jnr for Activism, Yusuf Hassan for Health and and Ibrahim El-Caleel for Social Media Influencer.
Honorary awards were also presented to distinguished leaders, including Governor Uba Sani (Kaduna), Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Jibrin Baba Ndace (DG, Voice of Nigeria), and Zubaida Umar Abubakar (DG, NEMA).
The Arewa Stars Awards continues to receive hundreds of nominations annually, with winners selected by a merit-based jury to ensure the platform remains a credible barometer for impact and social activism in Northern Nigeria.