ABUJA — The Middle Belt Youth Forum has formally declared that the Middle Belt is a distinct entity and must no longer be classified as a political appendage of Northern Nigeria.
In a statement released on Monday, February 2, 2026, the forum asserted that the region possesses a unique identity, history, and culture that have been suppressed for decades under the “one North” political umbrella.
Demand for Political Inclusion
The youths argued that despite the Middle Belt’s foundational contributions to national unity and food security, the region has faced systematic marginalisation and political exclusion.
“The Middle Belt is not a minority begging for recognition,” the forum stated. “We are a foundational part of Nigeria with our own identity, and the time has come for us to lead”. Consequently, the group demanded that a President from the Middle Belt emerge by 2031 to restore justice and national confidence.
A Call for Fair Representation
The forum urged political parties and civil society to acknowledge the region’s distinct interests. They emphasized that their demand is for fairness and balance in the Nigerian project rather than an act of aggression against any other region.
This declaration follows recent concerns raised by the broader Middle Belt Forum (MBF) regarding the safety of its citizens. On the same day, MBF President Dr. Bitrus Pogu raised an alarm over the abduction of 15 Christian women in Borno and the continued silence surrounding 166 worshippers kidnapped in Southern Kaduna.
Warning Over National Stability
Earlier, the Middle Belt Youth Forum also warned against inflammatory statements from the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. Led by Comrade Meliga Godwin, the forum cautioned that attempts to delegitimize the electoral process pose a direct threat to national stability.
