By Francis Nansak, Lafia
The Nasarawa Investment Summit took on a celebratory tone on Wednesday evening as investors, development partners, and citizens gathered for a dinner hosted by the state government.
The event featured speeches, awards, and the launch of a new book documenting Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule’s development strides since 2019.
Earlier that morning, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima had praised Nasarawa State’s rich natural endowment and commended Governor Sule for serving with integrity, without self-enrichment, while creating an investment-friendly environment that has placed the state on the industrial map of West Africa.He also hailed Senator Wadada describing him as the incoming governor of the state that will consolidate on the gains of the incumbent governor God’s willing come 2027.
This year’s summit,being the third, since 2022, was organized by the Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, NASIDA, under Governor Sule’s administration.
The highlight of the night was the launch of a book written by veteran journalist Mr. Donatus Nadi, publisher of The Eyewitness Newspaper. The book chronicles the sectoral development achievements of the Sule administration since 2019.
Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, the APC’s endorsed and preferred governorship successor for 2027, served as the chief launcher.
Senator Wadada not only launched the book but also donated 1,000 copies at a cost of ₦10,000,000 to be distributed across state and federal tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State.
In his remarks, he described the book as more than commentary. “This is a historic document that generations yet unborn can rely on as a reference for leadership development.
He said. “Chronicling the achievements of any individual, system, or government should not be taken for granted.”
He lauded Governor Sule’s innovative leadership and the establishment of the Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy, NEDS, which gave birth to NASIDA, saying it has been a driving force behind the administration’s progress.
“Our achiever, our performer, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule; the Deputy Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly; captains of industry; and distinguished guests,my task tonight is simple: to show you how deep my pocket is.
“For every politician, it is not easy to reveal the size of one’s pocket. But with the kind of achievements recorded by our amiable governor, it becomes imperative for whoever is entrusted with responsibility to give their best, whether or not they are from Nasarawa State.
“If he is from here, it is a duty. If he is not, it is a privilege, because Nasarawa is a sub-national of Nigeria, and all other sub-nationals are connected,” he added.
Senator Wadada also commended NASIDA’s Managing Director, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, calling him “our source of pride,” and congratulated the author for producing a document that “from now till the end of time will form part of Nasarawa State’s history.”
“Any achievement that is not documented is worthless.
“This document encapsulates the governor’s achievements and speaks volumes about what he has done for the people of Nasarawa State.”Snator Wadada averred .
The lawmaker and leading APC governorship aspirant further noted that the infrastructure and industrial transformation witnessed in Nasarawa since 2019 deserve to be documented, not only as a record but as a reference for future generations.
Senator Wadada reaffirmed his belief in the vast economic potential of Nasarawa State, expressing optimism that continued partnerships and strategic investments would help secure a stronger and more prosperous future for the people of the state.
Earlier in the day,Vice President Kashim Shettima in his remarks commended Nasarawa state for emerging as a hub for investors, policymakers and development partners.
He linked the state’s progress to the broader national economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu, stating that Nigeria has moved from the brink of a fiscal crisis in 2023 to achieving a GDP growth rate of 3.87 per cent in 2025.
He said the fiscal deficit had narrowed to 3.0 per cent of GDP, while the balance of payments recorded a surplus of $6.83 billion.
Net foreign exchange reserves, he said, rose significantly from $3.99 billion at the end of 2023 to over $46 billion in 2025.
The Vice President praised Nasarawa’s institutional reforms, including the establishment of NASIDA, the One-Stop Investment Centre, the state Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Nasarawa Infrastructure Park, describing them as a “durable architecture for prosperity.”
On his part Governor Sule described the 2026 summit as the final investment forum under his administration and a defining moment for the state’s economic trajectory.
He said it serves as a strategic platform to consolidate existing gains and chart a path for the next phase of economic transformation.
He recalled that the 2022 edition, themed “Diamond in the Rough,” introduced Nasarawa’s resource potential and strategic proximity to Abuja, while the 2024 edition, “Industrial Renaissance,” focused on agriculture, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure.
Sule explained that the current edition is designed to embed reforms within durable institutions to ensure sustainability beyond individual administrations.
Also, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwale, described Nasarawa as a model for translating sustained reforms into tangible investment outcomes.
She estimated the state’s GDP at about $12 billion, with $800 million in solid minerals investments, $400 million in rare earth processing facilities, and a project pipeline approaching $1 billion.
Earlier in his opening address the Managing Director Nasarawa Investment Development Agency (NASIDA) Barrister ,Ibrahim Adamu Abdullahi said reforms under the agency’s Business Enabling Reform Action Plan has led to over 50 improvements in the business environment in the state.
“These include harmonised taxes, digitised regulatory processes, a strengthened public-private partnership framework and the establishment of the State Electricity Commission,” he said.
The two-day summit, themed “Bold Transitions: Building a Legacy for a Sustainable Future,” is the third edition since its inception in 2022.
strategic platform to consolidate existing gains and chart a path for the next phase of economic transformation.
Awards of excellence and appreciation were presented to the Governor Engineer Abdullahi Sule, Olam , Premium Mining company, investment partners and a host of others to mentioned a few.