How insecurity threatens Nasarawa’s status as a top investment hub

​Nasarawa State has long 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 highly attractive to investors. Yet, despite these structural advantages, insecurity has emerged as the state’s greatest economic obstacle, stifling investment, disrupting agricultural output, shrinking businesses and threatening thousands of livelihoods.

​Across farming communities in Doma, Keana, Awe, Obi, Toto and parts of Lafia Local Government Areas, apprehension has replaced optimism. Farmers who once cultivated vast hectares of maize, rice, yam and sesame are abandoning their farmlands due to persistent threats from armed groups, kidnappers and violent clashes. The inevitable result is declining agricultural production, escalating food prices and diminished household incomes.

​Economic ripples across key sectors

Agriculture remains the backbone of the Nasarawa economy, employing the majority of its population. Every planting season lost to insecurity translates into lower harvests, reduced market supplies and dwindling 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 well beyond agriculture. Nasarawa’s vast mineral wealth has attracted significant interest from both local and international investors seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s burgeoning mining industry. However, instability within certain mining communities and the proliferation of illegal mining activities have discouraged legitimate investors who require a stable, secure operating environment before committing substantial capital.

​Commercial slowdown and operational costs​

Commercial activity has slowed across major hubs such as Lafia, Keffi and Akwanga. Transport operators report a sharp decline in passenger numbers on various routes as travellers avoid transit due to fears of kidnapping. Similarly, the hospitality sector and roadside businesses report reduced footfall, particularly in areas perceived to be unsafe.

​For small business owners, insecurity has become a prohibitive operating cost. Many enterprises now divert scarce resources toward private security, limit trading hours or avoid the transit of goods after dark. These overheads diminish profit margins and discourage expansion, hindering the ability of businesses to create employment opportunities.

​The strategic imperative of security
​Security experts maintain that investors are primarily guided by the assurance of safety. Where lives, property and investments cannot be protected, businesses naturally seek more secure environments. This reality poses a fundamental challenge to Nasarawa’s ambition to become an industrial and agricultural hub in North-Central Nigeria. Furthermore, the tourism sector remains constrained, with sites like the Farin Ruwa Waterfalls failing to reach their potential due to ongoing safety concerns.

​Bature Benjamin-Lafia that could be allocated to roads, schools, healthcare facilities, irrigation systems and rural electrification are instead prioritised for peace maintenance and emergency responses to displaced communities.

​Balancing investment with stability
​While the Nasarawa State Government continues to pursue programmes aimed at improving infrastructure and agricultural output, analysts insist that sustainable growth is contingent upon lasting peace. They argue that security is the essential foundation upon which agriculture, mining and industrialisation flourish.

​For many residents, the solution necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Beyond kinetic military operations, there is a call for improved intelligence gathering, more robust community policing, targeted youth employment programmes and enhanced rural infrastructure. As Nigerian states compete for capital, Nasarawa remains at a crossroads; restoring confidence among entrepreneurs and investors is arguably the state’s most critical investment in its economic future.