Political economist Dr. Usman Bugaje has expressed concern over what he described as the declining quality of leadership and the erosion of values in Northern Nigeria, arguing that the region must return to the principles of sacrifice, discipline, and visionary leadership if it is to overcome its current challenges.
According to a report by The PUNCH published on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Bugaje made the remarks during a memorial conference held in honor of the late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina. The event was themed “From Sacrifice to Strategy: Rekindling Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina’s Vision for a Prosperous Northern Nigeria.”
The conference brought together political leaders, academics, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to reflect on the legacy of the former military leader and discuss practical approaches to addressing the security, governance, and development challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
A major highlight of the event was an address by the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum and former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, who lamented what he described as the gradual loss of the values that once defined the region.
Abdullahi argued that Northern Nigeria was once widely respected for discipline, integrity, accountability, and selfless leadership, qualities he said were instilled by earlier generations of parents and leaders.
According to him, those values played a critical role in shaping the region’s progress and reputation.
Reflecting on the current situation, Abdullahi expressed regret that many of those principles had steadily eroded over the years, contributing to rising insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment across the region.
“The North has lost its values. You may not want to hear this, but that is the reality today. If we had preserved the values handed down by our parents and founding leaders, the North would not be facing its current situation,” he said.
The elder statesman maintained that many of the challenges confronting the region today could have been prevented if successive generations had upheld the ideals of integrity, discipline, responsible leadership, and accountability.
He urged political leaders, public office holders, and citizens to recommit themselves to those principles, arguing that restoring such values is essential to strengthening governance, improving security, and promoting sustainable development throughout Northern Nigeria.
Bugaje echoed similar concerns during his address at the conference, saying the region has experienced a decline in the quality of leadership over the years.
According to him, the values exemplified by the late Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina remain relevant and should serve as a guide for addressing the region’s current governance and development challenges.
He highlighted sacrifice, discipline, integrity, and visionary leadership as qualities that should once again become central to public service and political leadership in the North.
Bugaje argued that meaningful progress cannot be achieved without leaders who are prepared to place the public interest above personal or political considerations.
He suggested that reviving the ideals represented by Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina would help provide a stronger foundation for addressing insecurity, poverty, youth unemployment, and other socio-economic problems affecting the region.
Throughout the conference, participants reflected on the legacy of the late military leader and discussed ways to translate his leadership principles into practical strategies for improving governance and development.
The gathering also served as a forum for examining the broader challenges confronting Northern Nigeria and identifying solutions rooted in ethical leadership, institutional reforms, and community engagement.
Speakers emphasized that restoring public confidence in leadership requires a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, discipline, and service to the people.
They also stressed that lasting progress depends not only on government action but on the collective efforts of traditional institutions, civil society, educational institutions, and ordinary citizens.
The conference concluded with calls for Northern leaders to embrace the values associated with Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina’s legacy and apply them to the region’s present-day realities.
Participants expressed optimism that a return to principled leadership and shared responsibility could help address the security and socio-economic challenges facing Northern Nigeria while laying the foundation for greater unity, peace, and sustainable development.
Bugaje’s remarks, alongside those of Prof. Abdullahi, underscored a common message throughout the conference: that rebuilding the North requires more than policy reforms alone—it also demands a renewed commitment to the values of integrity, sacrifice, discipline, accountability, and visionary leadership that many participants believe once defined the region.
