President Bola Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s prosperity hinges on the development of Northern Nigeria, describing the region as central to the nation’s industrialization ambitions. Speaking at the Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) 2025 in Abuja, represented by Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, Tinubu outlined his administration’s focus on key industrialization projects in the North.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Mining, Agricultural, and Power Potentials (MAP2035),” was organized by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). Tinubu highlighted the region’s potential, stating, “If we unlock the North’s minerals, we secure industrial competitiveness. If we unlock its agriculture, we ensure food security and global export leadership. If we unlock its power, we spark industrialization that will employ millions.” He described the North as the “engine of the country” and called for collaborative efforts to transform its potential into prosperity.
Edun detailed Nigeria’s economic progress, noting a 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025, the strongest in a decade outside the post-COVID recovery. Industrial growth doubled year-on-year, agriculture and services expanded, and inflation dropped to 20.12% in August. Nigeria’s trade surplus reached $7.4 trillion, foreign reserves hit $42 billion, and the naira stabilized, driven by Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic transformation and inclusive growth.
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal stressed that addressing insecurity is critical to attracting investment. “A safe North is a bankable North,” he said, urging the 19 northern states to align policies and enhance collaboration in security, intelligence, and community policing.
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule called on governors to leverage increased state revenues, noting that Tinubu’s reforms have quadrupled monthly allocations to all government tiers. “We now have unprecedented resources to transform our economies,” he said.
NEF Convener Prof. Ango Abdullahi, represented by former Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Al’amin Daggash (rtd), highlighted poor infrastructure as a major barrier to northern industrialization. He recalled the region’s historical economic strength, driven by agriculture and rail networks that supported exports of groundnuts, cotton, hides, skins, and minerals. “The resources are here, the people are ready, and the time is now. If the North rises, Nigeria rises. If Nigeria rises, Africa rises,” he said.
The summit brought together governors, industry leaders, and development partners to develop a roadmap for unlocking the North’s mining, agriculture, and power potential.
