Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has challenged investors, financial institutions and development partners to move beyond expressions of interest and commit to practical investments capable of creating jobs, expanding businesses and delivering visible benefits to ordinary citizens.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Second Jigawa State Economic and Investment Summit (J-INVEST 2026) held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Dutse on Wednesday, the governor said the state was seeking partnerships that would translate opportunities into real economic activities and measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Addressing local and international investors, development partners, business leaders and government officials, Governor Namadi stressed that the success of the summit would not be measured by speeches, photographs or signed memoranda alone, but by actual projects and their impact on communities.
“We expect J-INVEST 2026 to yield practical outcomes, including investment leads, agreements, MoUs, project pipelines, financing commitments, sector roadmaps and follow-up actions,” the governor stated.
He urged investors attending the summit to take advantage of the opportunities available in the state and convert business interests into actual investments.
“My message is direct. Bring serious ideas to Jigawa, and you will find a government ready to engage, facilitate and follow through. Use this summit to test opportunities, meet partners, structure projects and move from ideas to commitment to actualised investments,” he said.
Governor Namadi emphasised that the state’s economic agenda is ultimately designed to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, particularly youths, women, farmers, artisans and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to him, the benefits of successful investments should be reflected in expanded farms, completed factories, improved infrastructure, increased employment opportunities, stronger local businesses and better public services.
“Let the record of this summit be seen not only in speeches, photographs and signed documents, but in farms expanded, factories completed, power delivered, skills gained, businesses financed, services improved, and families lifted into greater prosperity,” the governor declared.
The governor highlighted several sectors that are open for investment, including commercial agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, healthcare, education, logistics, digital commerce, solid minerals, real estate and cross-border trade.
He noted that Jigawa State possesses over 24,700 square kilometres of fertile agricultural land, more than 411,000 hectares of Fadama wetlands suitable for year-round farming, abundant water resources and strategic access to markets across Northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
Governor Namadi also outlined the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for investors through infrastructure development, land access reforms, public-private partnerships and business facilitation services provided through InvestJigawa.
He disclosed that the state had facilitated 64 actualised investments in key sectors over the past three years and allocated over 76 per cent of its 2026 budget to capital expenditure aimed at strengthening the foundations for private sector growth.
The governor further revealed that major infrastructure projects, including roads, solar energy facilities, industrial parks and agricultural processing hubs, are being developed to support economic expansion and attract further investment.
