Namadi unveils N902bn budget strategy as J-INVEST 2026 opens

Governor Umar Namadi on Wednesday declared the second edition of the Jigawa State Economic and Investment Summit (J-INVEST 2026) open, unveiling a broad investment drive anchored on a ₦902 billion 2026 budget and calling on investors to take advantage of opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare and infrastructure.

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Dutse, the Jigawa State governor said the summit was designed to move beyond investment discussions to concrete project execution, partnerships and sustainable economic growth.

Namadi described the summit as a major milestone in the state’s economic development, saying it builds on the gains of the inaugural investment summit held in 2013, which led to the establishment of InvestJigawa, the state’s investment promotion agency.

According to him, the theme, “Unlocking Opportunities, Driving Sustainable Growth for a Greater Jigawa,” reflects the government’s determination to convert the state’s vast natural and economic resources into productive investments that will create jobs and expand the economy.

He said Jigawa possesses more than 24,700 square kilometres of fertile agricultural land, over 411,000 hectares of Fadama wetlands suitable for all-season farming, abundant irrigation assets, a youthful workforce and strategic access to markets in northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

Namadi noted that the state remains Nigeria’s leading producer and exporter of sesame and hibiscus, while also ranking among the country’s top producers of wheat, rice, sorghum, millet, tomatoes and vegetables.

He said the administration’s Greater Jigawa vision and 12-point development agenda prioritise agricultural transformation, infrastructure, power, digital economy, private sector development, healthcare, education and skills acquisition.

Highlighting the state’s investment commitment, the governor disclosed that the 2026 budget allocates more than ₦693 billion, representing 76.9 per cent of total expenditure, to capital projects, while over ₦396 billion has been earmarked for economic sectors including agriculture, infrastructure, energy, commerce and industry.

He added that another ₦310 billion has been committed to education and healthcare as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development.

Namadi revealed that the state had facilitated 64 completed investment projects over the past three years in agriculture, renewable energy and manufacturing, with investments worth several billions of naira.

Read also: Shettima backs Jigawa’s investment drive, says states will power Nigeria’s economic growth

He said investment opportunities currently available include commercial agriculture, agro-processing, livestock production, irrigation, renewable energy, healthcare, specialist medical services, manufacturing, logistics, digital commerce, solid minerals, real estate, transport, skills development, cross-border trade, the Maigatari Border Free Zone and the Gagarawa Industrial Park.

The governor identified the nearly completed Dangote Rice Mill as one of the flagship private sector investments in the state, noting that the facility is expected to process 350 tonnes of rice daily alongside about 20 other rice mills with a combined daily capacity of 1,800 tonnes.

He also highlighted the state’s partnership with AfricaRice and collaborations with Great Northern Agribusiness and Lee Group to expand hybrid rice production and strengthen Nigeria’s food security.

Namadi said the government had introduced reforms through InvestJigawa to simplify investment procedures, facilitate land access, strengthen public-private partnerships and improve the ease of doing business.

He disclosed that about 13,000 hectares of land had been allocated to investors since 2024 under the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA).

On infrastructure, the governor said the administration completed 25 of 26 inherited road projects spanning about 340 kilometres and awarded 48 new road contracts covering more than 1,000 kilometres.

He added that partnerships with the Rural Electrification Agency and Kano Electricity Distribution Company were supporting the development of solar-powered mini-grids, while state-funded solar projects expected to generate about seven megawatts of electricity are already undergoing test runs.

Namadi also commended the economic reforms of the Federal Government, saying improved macroeconomic stability and efforts to strengthen the business environment had boosted investor confidence.

He cited figures showing Nigeria recorded capital importation of about $23.22 billion in 2025, while foreign direct investment rose by 36.8 per cent from $674.71 million in 2024 to $923.01 million in 2025.

Calling on investors, financial institutions and development partners to seize the opportunities available in Jigawa, the governor assured them of government support from project conception through implementation.

He said the summit is expected to produce investment agreements, memoranda of understanding, financing commitments, sector roadmaps and bankable projects capable of accelerating the state’s economic transformation.

Namadi urged participants to ensure the success of the summit would be measured not by speeches or signed documents alone, but by new factories, expanded farms, improved infrastructure, job creation and sustained economic prosperity for the people of Jigawa.