Speaking at the Government-Citizen Engagement Forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Bagudu dismissed claims of marginalisation of the region under the Tinubu administration.
He described President Tinubu as a nationalist whose appointments and reforms are driven by competence and a clear vision, not political patronage or sectional sentiment.
Bagudu cautioned Northern leaders and citizens against buying into "divisive narratives" suggesting that the region is being sidelined, stating that the administration is anchored on inclusion, merit, and national unity.
He noted that the Tinubu administration inherited a distressed economy and has implemented necessary reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange liberalisation, to put the economy back on track.
Bagudu pointed to key institutional reforms, including the restoration of the budget office to the Ministry of National Planning and the creation of new ministries, as strategic steps to promote national development and broaden inclusion.
He urged Northern stakeholders to become more proactive in engaging with democratic institutions, especially in shaping the national budget, and noted that global confidence in Nigeria is rebounding.
Describing the Tinubu administration's performance as "more than a scorecard," Bagudu called it "a covenant of progress built on loyalty to Nigeria and to the North."