ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s economic prosperity cannot be separated from the growth and development of northern Nigeria.
Speaking through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, at the Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit (NNIIS) 2025, organised under the leadership of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) in Abuja, Tinubu explained that his administration is prioritising critical industrialisation projects with a particular focus on the North.
The summit, themed “Unlocking Northern Nigeria’s Mining, Agricultural and Power Potentials (MAP2035),” highlighted the importance of harnessing the region’s vast resources.
Tinubu emphasised:
> “The future of Nigeria’s prosperity is inseparable from the future of Northern Nigeria.
If we unlock the North’s minerals, we secure a new era of industrial competitiveness. If we unlock the North’s agriculture, we guarantee food security and global export leadership. If we unlock the North’s power, we ignite a wave of industrialisation that will employ millions of Nigerians.”
He noted that his economic vision is to build a stable, inclusive economy where government removes obstacles, the private sector drives growth, and every citizen benefits from new opportunities.
Tinubu described the North as “the engine of the country,” urging leaders to transform the region into the powerhouse of Nigeria’s prosperity. He commended the Northern Elders Forum and the 19 states of the North for convening the summit at such a critical time.
Highlighting the nation’s recent economic performance, Edun disclosed that:
Nigeria’s GDP grew by 4.23% in Q2 2025 — the strongest in a decade outside the COVID rebound period.
Year-on-year growth has consistently remained above 3% since 2023, compared to the 2% average of previous years.
Industrial growth, which creates jobs, has doubled, while agriculture and services also expanded significantly.
Inflation eased to 20.12% in August, with steady declines over five consecutive months.
The trade surplus reached $7.4 trillion, while foreign reserves rose to $42 billion.
The naira has stabilised and strengthened, driven by deliberate policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stressed that mining, agriculture, and power in the North are central to the administration’s economic strategy, describing them as “the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and the foundation for industrialisation.”
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Zamfara Governor: Security Is Key to Attracting Investments
In his remarks, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, urged northern leaders to prioritise security as the basis for attracting investors.
He said:
> “The question before us is not what needs to be done, but how we must collectively act to transform potential into prosperity. To attract the investment we need, we must move beyond rhetoric and embrace collaborative action. First, we must secure people and investments. Security is the fundamental prerequisite for meaningful development.”
Lawal called for closer cooperation among the 19 northern states, including intelligence sharing and strengthened community policing, to create a stable and attractive environment for businesses.
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Nasarawa Governor: Use Increased Revenue for Transformation
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, reminded his colleagues that they have more resources than ever before to drive development.
He noted that monthly allocations to all three tiers of government had quadrupled under Tinubu’s reforms, saying leaders must take responsibility for utilising the funds to transform their economies.
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NEF Chairman: Infrastructure Deficit Hinders Growth
In his welcome address, NEF Chairman, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, represented by retired Air Marshal Al’amin Daggash, said inadequate infrastructure remains the biggest obstacle to industrialising the North.
He described the summit as a rallying call to action, not a political or ceremonial event.
> “We cannot delay any further. 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 recalled that agriculture and rail infrastructure were once the backbone of the region’s economy, facilitating exports of groundnuts, cotton, hides, skins, and minerals to the coast, especially Lagos. He urged leaders to revive this legacy with determination, unity, and vision over the next decade.
