Tinubu Highlights Food Security and Regional Inclusion as Keys to National Stability at Taraba Investment Summit

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized food security and inclusive regional growth as key elements for Nigeria’s enduring stability. He urged all parties involved to tap into the country’s significant agricultural and industrial capabilities, particularly within resource-abundant regions such as Taraba.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening ceremony of the Taraba International Investment Summit 2025 in Jalingo on Wednesday, President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria’s economic transformation must begin from the grassroots and be driven by local resources.

He referred to food self-sufficiency as "the primary asset for national stability," emphasizing that agriculture will be at the core of his government’s renewed Promise Agenda.

President Tinubu referred to Taraba State as a key element of Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial prospects through an announcement made by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications at the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha. He highlighted that the state's significant agricultural capabilities exemplify the country's collective progress and economic well-being.

"Ensuring food self-sufficiency is the primary pillar of national stability. That’s why we’ve made agriculture the cornerstone of our national strategy," he stated.

The President commended Taraba’s extensive agricultural resources, urging for a transition from small-scale farming to large-scale food manufacturing.

“Our farmers must transition from the use of hoes and cutlasses to tractors and harvesters,” he said, stressing that modern tools are vital for increasing productivity and feeding Nigeria’s growing population.

Noting that Taraba is not just a state with potential, but also a strategic player in the national economy, President Tinubu described the state as a major player in producing export-grade tea, coffee, and livestock for the meat industry.

Taraba holds a pivotal position in this strategy. Whether it's the high-quality tea and coffee cultivated on its slopes or the livestock bred here that supply the country's meat sector, this state stands as an agrarian force that needs to be completely utilized.

“The Kashimbila Dam, Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric dam, is not merely a monument of engineering. It is a symbol of what is possible when we dream and deliver,” he stated.

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The Nigerian leader cautioned that the country's developmental objectives could not be achieved solely through the export of raw materials. He stated, "Living off unprocessed goods and raw minerals alone is insufficient for us. Instead, what we require are facilities to enhance value, hubs to foster innovation, and industrial zones to transform concepts into tangible outcomes."

He emphasized that all regions of Nigeria have an important part to play in achieving nationwide success, noting that each section of Nigeria is a valuable asset to the others. As he put it, "each area complements the rest to such an extent that when one region falls short, another frequently makes up for this with its abundance."

“Our ultimate awakening as a nation begins with this realisation that no part of this country can thrive in isolation. What Taraba offers the nation is more than its breathtaking mountains or fertile valleys; it is a strategic contribution to our shared prosperity,” the President added.

He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his visionary leadership, which he has demonstrated by convening the summit.

“There’s no doubt that you have chosen to reshape the destiny of your people. This is a defining moment for Taraba. We are determined to ensure that investment does not remain a tale of Lagos and Abuja alone. We are expanding the map of economic inclusion to include Jalingo, Gembu, Takum, Wukari, Bali, and every enterprising corner of Taraba,” President Tinubu told the governor.

He stated that the federal government is not just a passive spectator but an active ally in converting the state’s economic potential into tangible development.

As the global demand for clean energy minerals like lithium and cobalt accelerates, President Tinubu called on investors to take a long-term view of Taraba’s role in the future of sustainable technology.

Previously, Governor Kefas stated that the summit has brought vitality back to Taraba State. He reassured potential investors that the region is both tranquil and secure for commercial activities, highlighting its abundant natural and human assets.

Governor Kefas informed the investors attending the national summit that he has established conditions conducive for business growth.

On behalf of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), Governor Mohammed Bago from Niger State, representing the forum’s chairman, expressed his commitment and promised the collaboration of local governments towards advancing agriculture in Nigeria.

"All the elements required for production, such as land, water, sunlight, and numerous others, are intrinsic to Taraba. Therefore, the state government should facilitate business operations," stated Governor Bago.

Additionally, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the business tycoon and president of Dangote Group, stated that he plans to keep investing in Nigeria and inspire other companies to do the same within the country. He believes that strong performance from local investors will naturally attract foreign investors without needing explicit invitations.

We aim to stay here and continually invest in Nigeria to make a difference in people’s lives by generating job after job," he stated. "When local investors thrive, foreign investors will naturally follow suit without needing an invitation. Just like a popular restaurant doesn’t require advertising; patrons spread the word through their experiences. Begin by supporting local investors, and this state could emerge as a beacon of success.

On his part, renowned banker and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Chief Tony Elumelu, said Africa has opened an investment window for the world because the continent has what it can showcase.

He pledged to partner with Taraba State in ensuring that its vision comes true. Investments help in building the capacity of our youth through employment generation. When we create investment, we improve our people,” he said.

For his part, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad III, commended the Taraba State Governor for organising an international investment forum, which he described as historic.

Speaking on behalf of the spiritual and traditional leaders in Nigeria, the Sultan called on people in leadership positions to change the scenario, even as he said Taraba State is more secure now under the leadership of Governor Kefas, and urged the Governor to sustain the tide.

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