President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized that achieving food security and promoting regional economic inclusion are crucial for ensuring Nigeria’s long-term stability.
He revealed that under his Renewed Hope administration, there are concrete plans to develop Taraba State into a major hub for agricultural production, energy generation, and mineral resource development.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening of the 2025 Taraba International Investment Summit in Jalingo, the President described the state as vital to Nigeria’s agricultural and industrial advancement. He noted that Taraba’s agricultural potential represents a key pillar of the country’s collective prosperity.
President Tinubu reiterated his government’s dedication to economic transformation through the effective use of local resources and the decentralization of development efforts.
“Achieving food sufficiency is the foundation of national stability. That’s why agriculture is at the core of our national development agenda,” he stated.
He commended Taraba’s rich agricultural resources and urged a transition from small-scale, manual farming to large-scale, mechanized agriculture.
“Our farmers must move beyond hoes and cutlasses and adopt tractors and modern harvesters,” he said, highlighting that mechanization is essential to boost productivity and meet the food needs of Nigeria’s growing population.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasized that Taraba State is not only rich in potential but also plays a key role in Nigeria’s economic landscape. He identified the state as a major contributor to the production of export-quality tea, coffee, and livestock for the national meat industry.
“Taraba stands at the heart of our national development vision. From the highlands that produce premium tea and coffee to the livestock that sustains our meat supply, this state is a vital agricultural force that must be fully utilized,” he said.
He also highlighted the significance of the Kashimbila Dam—Nigeria’s largest hydroelectric project—not just as an engineering achievement but as a testament to the nation’s capacity to turn vision into reality.
However, the President cautioned that Nigeria’s economic aspirations cannot be achieved by relying solely on the export of raw materials. “We cannot depend on unprocessed produce and minerals. What we need are factories to add value, innovation hubs to drive progress, and industrial parks to turn concepts into tangible outcomes,” he stated.
He underlined the importance of national unity in development, affirming that every region contributes uniquely to the country’s growth. According to him, “Each region of Nigeria supports the others in such a way that where one may lack, another provides. This interdependence is the foundation of our collective strength.”
He further remarked that true national progress begins with the understanding that no region can succeed alone. Taraba’s value, he noted, lies not just in its natural beauty or rich soil, but in the vital role it plays in advancing Nigeria’s economic goals.
The President also praised Governor Agbu Kefas for his forward-thinking leadership and for organizing the investment summit to drive growth in the state.
President Tinubu acknowledged the determination of Taraba’s leaders to transform the future of their people, calling this a pivotal moment for the state. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that economic opportunities extend beyond Lagos and Abuja.
“We are broadening economic inclusion to reach Jalingo, Gembu, Takum, Wukari, Bali, and every dynamic community across Taraba,” the President told Governor Agbu Kefas.
He reassured that the federal government is not merely an onlooker but an active partner dedicated to turning Taraba’s economic potential into tangible progress.
With the rising global demand for clean energy minerals such as lithium and cobalt, President Tinubu urged investors to consider Taraba’s strategic position in the future of sustainable technology and to adopt a long-term investment perspective.
