It is a region which has agriculture as the mainstay of it's economy as it feeds the rest of the federation with it's produce and also rich in solid minerals.
Due to large demographic of it's population not literate, poverty, diseases and insecurity have destroyed the Northern economy. The collapse of the United Nigeria Textile Mill in Kaduna, Ajaokuta Steel Plant in Kogi, etc have led to the importation of foreign textile and steel.
To get the Northern Nigeria Economy on track the following should be done:
1. Education:
The Northern State Governments should invest in providing quality education for it's citizens. The Almajiri should be educated in both the Islamic and Western educational models to make them prepared for tomorrow's challenges. Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Institutions should be provided with modern infrastructure in order to make them competitive.
2. Build Technology Parks:
Technology Parks should be established in Kano, Zaria, Yola, Minna, Ilorin with the required world class infrastructure to support them to engage in Research, Development and Commercialization of findings to solve local problems.
3. Use Modern Agricultural Technologies:
Modern Agricultural Technologies should be embraced by the Northern State Governments to boost agriculture in their domains.
4. Establish Technical Vocational Institutes:
Vocational Institutes of learning should be established to train youths in skills which will make them self reliant rather than redundant.
5. Promote Solid Mineral Development:
The North has solid minerals worth billions of dollars in value which if developed will boost the fortunes of the region. Mining Development Agencies should be established in the mineral rich states to promote their development.
6. Establish Industrial Parks:
Industrial Parks should be established which will engage in the processing of agroproduce and solid minerals
7. Engage In Tree Planting To Combat Desertification:
Desertification is a serious threat to the economy of the North and must be tackled with a sustainable solution. Tree Planting can help to checkmate the effect of desertification and boost their economic fortunes.