By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (MAP 2025) has commended the Northern Elders Forum for convening the event, describing it as a timely and strategic intervention to highlight the region’s untapped economic potential.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the summit, held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Governor Lawal expressed optimism that the gathering would open new doors for investment and development across the region, particularly in mining, agriculture, and energy—sectors where Zamfara holds significant competitive and comparative advantages.
“This Summit Tells the World Who We Are and What We Can Do”
“This is a very good summit. It explains the vast potential of Northern Nigeria—not only in agriculture and mining but also in energy,” Governor Lawal stated.
He emphasized that the summit had come at the right time, pointing out that it was long overdue for the North to showcase its strengths and present a unified development vision to the world.
“This event is showcasing where we have both comparative and competitive advantages. I’m happy because it tells the world who we are, what we do, and what we can do.”
Zamfara Leads in Mining and Agriculture
Governor Lawal highlighted Zamfara State as a key player in two of the summit’s core focus areas—solid minerals and agriculture.
“When you talk about critical solid minerals in Nigeria, Zamfara is at the top,” he said. “And in agriculture, we also have a comparative advantage due to our vast, fertile land.”
He described the summit as an opportunity for states like Zamfara to showcase investment-ready opportunities, attract partners, and drive sustainable development at scale.
A Bright Future in Renewable Energy
The governor also pointed to Zamfara’s abundant sunshine as a strong foundation for investments in renewable energy, particularly solar power.
“Sunshine is there in abundance. That’s why renewable energy is key for us, and it’s a major focus of the conversations at this summit,” he noted.
Toward a Unified Northern Agenda
As Chairman of the summit, Governor Lawal reiterated his belief that Northern Nigeria must continue organizing such summits regularly to build consensus, attract investment, and promote collaborative regional development.
“It’s high time we had this kind of event to bring our regional strengths to the forefront and set a clear direction for our future,” he concluded.
About the Summit
The Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (MAP 2025), themed “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power”, brought together state governors, investors, policymakers, and development experts to discuss how the North can leverage its natural and human resources for inclusive growth and industrial transformation.
