When insecurity meets investment: Can Nasarawa sustain its economic promise?

For years, Nasarawa State has been projected as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing investment destinations. Its fertile agricultural land, rich deposits of lithium, baryte, limestone, tin and gold, and its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory have made it attractive to investors.

Yet, despite these enormous advantages, insecurity has emerged as the state’s greatest economic obstacle, slowing investment, disrupting farming, shrinking businesses and threatening thousands of livelihoods.

Across farming communities in Doma, Keana, Awe, Obi, Toto and parts of Lafia Local Government Areas, fear has replaced optimism. Farmers who once cultivated hectares of maize, rice, yam and sesame now abandon their farmlands after repeated attacks by armed groups, kidnappers and violent clashes. The result is declining agricultural production, rising food prices and reduced household incomes.

“I cultivated only half of my farmland this year because we are afraid,” said Musa Ibrahim, a farmer in Doma. “Many of us cannot risk going deep into our farms anymore. If farming stops, our families have nothing to survive on.”

Agriculture remains the backbone of Nasarawa’s economy, employing the majority of its population. Every planting season lost to insecurity translates into lower harvests, reduced market supplies and declining earnings for farmers, traders, transporters and agro-processing businesses. Economists warn that these disruptions weaken the state’s internally generated revenue while increasing dependence on food imports from neighbouring states.

The impact extends beyond agriculture. Nasarawa’s vast mineral wealth has attracted interest from both local and international investors seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s growing mining industry. However, insecurity around some mining communities and the activities of illegal miners have discouraged legitimate investors who require a stable operating environment before committing substantial capital.

Commercial activities have also slowed. In Lafia, Keffi and Akwanga, transport operators say passenger numbers have dropped on some routes because travellers fear kidnapping. Hotels, restaurants and roadside businesses equally report fewer customers, especially in areas perceived to be unsafe.

For small business owners, insecurity has become an additional operating cost. Many now spend scarce resources on private security, limit business hours or avoid transporting goods after dark. These expenses reduce profits and discourage expansion, making it harder for businesses to employ more workers.

Security experts argue that investors are often guided by one fundamental consideration before committing funds—safety. Where lives, property and investments cannot be guaranteed, businesses naturally relocate to more secure environments. This reality poses a significant challenge to Nasarawa’s ambition of becoming an industrial and agricultural hub in North-Central Nigeria.

The tourism sector has equally suffered. Attractions such as the Farin Ruwa Waterfalls and other scenic locations possess enormous potential to generate revenue, create employment and attract both domestic and international visitors. However, concerns over safety continue to limit tourist arrivals, leaving much of the state’s tourism potential untapped.

Development economists note that insecurity also forces governments to divert resources from development projects to security operations. Money that could have been invested in roads, schools, healthcare facilities, irrigation systems and rural electrification is increasingly channelled towards maintaining peace, responding to emergencies and supporting displaced communities.

Despite these challenges, the Nasarawa State Government continues to pursue programmes aimed at attracting investment, improving infrastructure and expanding agricultural production. Security agencies have intensified operations against criminal elements, while traditional rulers and community leaders are strengthening local intelligence to complement government efforts.

Analysts, however, insist that sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved without lasting peace. They argue that security is the foundation upon which agriculture, mining, commerce and industrialisation flourish. Without adequate protection for farmers, businesses and investors, the state’s abundant natural resources may remain underutilised.

For many residents, the solution goes beyond military operations. They advocate improved intelligence gathering, stronger community policing, youth employment programmes, better rural infrastructure and closer collaboration among government, security agencies and local communities.

As Nigeria’s states compete to attract investment and create jobs, Nasarawa stands at a crossroads. Its natural endowments offer enormous economic promise, but unless insecurity is decisively addressed, that promise may continue to fade. Restoring confidence among farmers, entrepreneurs and investors may ultimately prove to be the state’s most important investment in its economic future.