Abuja, Tuesday, April 23, 2024: In a press briefing held today in Abuja, the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, unveiled the Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024, themed “The Industrial Renaissance,” slated for May 15 and 16. The governor highlighted the state’s comprehensive economic reforms, which have begun to yield tangible results, attracting a diverse array of medium- and long-term investments across various sectors.
Governor Sule emphasised that the state has undertaken definite measures to capitalise on the high demand for lithium and gas, with the summit seeking to maximise foreign direct investment (FDI) in the mining and energy sectors. He disclosed that the government is in talks with investors from Russia, Japan, and China to establish a 4,000-metric-tonne lithium processing plant next month.
“The ‘Industrial Renaissance’ theme encapsulates the vision of Nasarawa State to harness its abundant natural resources, strategic location, and skilled workforce to foster a renaissance in industrial activity,” Governor Sule stated. “It reflects the state’s determination to embrace innovation, adopt best practices, and invest in critical infrastructure to catalyse the growth of key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, and mining.”
The governor stressed that the state is seeking medium- to long-term investments, rather than short-term financial arrangements, to ensure sustainable economic growth and development. He pledged his commitment to ushering the state into a new era of industrial growth and prosperity, underscoring that his administration will prioritise the interests of its citizens in any public-private agreements.
According to Governor Sule, the state aims to create and expand on existing pathways for leveraging its immense industrial, agricultural, and mining potential for inclusive and sustainable wealth creation. This will be achieved through immense industrial, agricultural, and mining revolutions to harness the state’s abundant natural resources and foster a renaissance in industrial activity.
“At the core of the Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024 is the emphasis on regional collaboration and infrastructure development for the state’s industrialization drive,” the governor noted. “The summit will feature a series of meticulously curated sessions to interrogate the most pressing issues relevant to Nasarawa State’s economic development, as well as a Deal Room where investment-grade and bankable projects at different development phases will be showcased for potential investments.”
Earlier, the Managing Director of the Nasarawa State Investment Development Agency, Ibrahim Abdullahi, stated that the bi-annual event was instituted to showcase the investment opportunities in the state. The inaugural edition in 2022 drew approximately 1,000 participants and garnered $500 million in investment pledges.
The Nasarawa Investment Summit 2024 aims to bolster investment opportunities, fortify public-private partnerships, advance infrastructure development, foster capacity building, and promote sustainable, inclusive development in the state.