From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has called on South-East businessmen to tap into the state’s abundant natural resources and investor-friendly policies by exploring business opportunities in the state.
Speaking during the unveiling of the Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit in Enugu, the governor said his administration had, over the past six years, implemented a comprehensive plan that has significantly improved critical infrastructure needed to drive economic growth.
“Above all, investors can leverage the abundant potentials of the state in agriculture, livestock production, the extractive industry, renewable energy sources, and a large human capital base of over 10 million population, among others, to invest in the state with good returns on investment,” Governor Mohammed stated.
The summit, themed “Rebuilding a resilient economy: Optimising investment & partnerships,” is scheduled to take place in Bauchi on Wednesday, October 8, and Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, the governor noted that Bauchi was strategically positioning itself as a prime destination for both local and foreign investors.
“Admittedly, we have become part of globalisation. Our high population growth and expanding middle class create conditions conducive to market attractiveness in terms of mass consumption and infrastructure development.
“In a world marked by ever-growing economic and social interdependence, the challenge is to develop genuine areas of shared prosperity. This involves forging new types of economic and socio-political relations based on the idea of mutual benefit between partners.
“In this type of relationship, some contribute their financing capability and their technology, while others offer unique opportunities to be seized, and rare resources to be tapped, all in a fair and equitable exchange,” he said.
According to Hammayo, the summit will bring together key stakeholders from across the investment ecosystem—ranging from government officials and industry leaders to entrepreneurs and prospective investors.
He added that the objectives of the summit include attracting new investments, showcasing viable projects through exhibitions and plenary sessions, supporting SMEs through increased visibility and access to partnerships, and fostering strategic collaborations via MoUs and joint ventures.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the event and former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, commended Governor Mohammed’s proactive outreach to the South-East business community.
He said: “We see this as a bright moment that the governor recognises the role of South-East and decided to come with this road show. It will be a success in October.
“Anybody who thinks that government alone can change the lot of Nigerians, and grow the industry, is making a mistake; it is the organised private sector (OPS) that will do that.
“Bauchi is doing great by creating an enabling environment for commerce, industries, mines, and agriculture to thrive… Bauchi is a mineral-rich state, and this is an opportunity for people to visit and invest in the state.”
Also speaking, President of the South-East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Humphrey Ngonadi, represented by the Director General, Dr. Daniel Ochi, expressed satisfaction with the investment prospects laid out by Bauchi officials.
Ngonadi, who also leads the South-East and South-South Chambers of Commerce, noted that there are 17 city chambers in the region, with the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) being the largest. He pledged to mobilise their members to take full advantage of the upcoming summit.
“We are impressed by the information shared and will ensure our members turn up in Bauchi to explore and invest,” he said.
The event was also attended by key stakeholders, including the President of ECCIMA, Odega Jideonwo, and the Executive Secretary of the South-East Business and Investment Summit, Dr. Ifedi Okwena, alongside other top officials and business leaders from the region.
