By Kiso Simon
In Abuja today the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) successfully hosted a two-day summit in Abuja, bringing together investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders under the theme “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power (MAP).”
The summit, convened by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, CON, was represented at the opening by Air Marshal M.A. Daggash (Rtd.), former Chief of Defence Staff, who emphasized the importance of the forum.
In his remarks, he recalled that before the discovery of oil, Northern Nigeria served as the “engine room” of the nation’s economy, driven primarily by agriculture and exports. He stressed the need for modern infrastructure to harness the region’s vast mineral resources, arable land, and human capital, while urging the government to enact investor friendly policies in the mining sector to create jobs and stimulate growth.
Presidential Message
The event was formally declared open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was represented by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.
President Tinubu, in his message, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to unlocking opportunities in mining and agriculture, while assuring both local and foreign investors of government protection under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue to concrete partnerships and investment structures, particularly in the Northern region. The President also used the occasion to congratulate Nigerians on the nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary and 26 years of uninterrupted democracy.
State Governors’ Contributions
The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, expressed appreciation to NEF and the Northern Governors Forum for convening the summit. He identified agriculture and mining as the cornerstones for the region’s economic future, highlighting Zamfara’s readiness with vast arable land and mineral deposits. Governor Lawal stressed the need for improved security architecture to guarantee investor confidence and called for harmonized policies among Northern governors to ensure practical implementation beyond rhetoric.
Similarly, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, urged leaders to take responsibility and leverage existing allocations for mining development. He revealed that Nasarawa is actively partnering with investors, not just in resource extraction but also in value addition through local processing. He reassured stakeholders of his state’s readiness to welcome credible investors.
Federal Government’s Position
In his remarks, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Hon. Abubakar Aliyu, congratulated NEF for organizing the forum at such a critical time. He noted that the Federal Government’s budget reflects a bottom-up approach with a strong focus on agriculture and mining, aligning with the developmental priorities of the Northern region.
Key Outcomes
One of the major highlights of the summit was the signing of the Northern Nigeria Integrated Economic Development Charter and the handover of the NEAL Compendium to the Northern Elders Forum.
Panel Sessions
The summit also featured interactive panel sessions. The first panel, moderated by prominent leaders, included:
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, Former Senate President
Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives
Hon. Bello El-Rufai, Member, House of Representatives (Kaduna State)
Mr. Umar Nuhu Mohammed, Development Specialist and Consultant
And was moderate by Maryan Musa Yahaya- DG NWGF
The session focused on “Unlocking the Potential of Northern Nigeria in Mining, Agriculture, and Power”, exploring strategies for sustainable growth and investment.
Dignitaries and Participants
The summit attracted a wide range of dignitaries, including Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy Mr. Wale Edun, Minister of Budget and Planning Hon. Abubakar Aliyu, Prof. Steve Ugba (Director, Northern Nigeria Forum), international representatives from Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, as well as captains of industry and technocrats.
