Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Sets Bold Economic Vision at Northern Elders Forum Summit

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Sets Bold Economic Vision at Northern Elders Forum Summit

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has declared Northern Nigeria a “broad spectrum of opportunity” for investors, calling on both domestic and international stakeholders to seize the region’s untapped potential in mining, agriculture, and power.

Speaking at the Northern Elders Forum’s Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit, themed “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture and Power,”the Minister positioned the event as a turning point in Nigeria’s economic journey. He noted that the summit comes at a pivotal moment, coinciding with the final phase of the 2021–2025 National Development Plan and the design of the 2026–2030 Plan, which will integrate recommendations and outcomes from the gathering.

Bagudu reminded participants that Nigeria’s Constitution, particularly Chapter 16, makes it the duty of leaders at all levels,federal, state, and local to work together in building an economy that works for every Nigerian. He emphasized that each part of the country is vital to the nation’s prosperity and that Northern Nigeria, in particular, holds the keys to unlocking opportunities in agriculture, mining, and energy that can transform the economy for generations.

He explained that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is anchored on bold and sometimes difficult decisions that must be taken to move the country forward. According to him, this is not the time for blame or excuses but a time to recognize that Nigeria must make courageous choices to place itself on a sustainable path of growth. He pointed to the ongoing mapping of economic potentials across the country’s 8,809 wards as the bedrock of future planning, ensuring that budgeting reflects community-level realities and that no part of the country is left behind.

The Minister further noted that president Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has undertaken significant institutional realignment, including the establishment of new ministries such as those for livestock development, maritime economy, creative economy and tourism, and solid minerals, while strengthening agriculture to prioritize food security and sovereignty. He highlighted the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Mechanism as an innovative framework to draw in private sector resources for long-neglected areas such as roads, rail, irrigation, dams, and clean energy, with the aim of making reliable and affordable energy accessible to all Nigerians.

Reflecting on landmark investments, he warned that projects of great national importance, such as the Dangote Refinery, must be safeguarded from misunderstandings and instability. He praised President Tinubu’s resolve in ensuring that such transformative ventures succeed, noting that investor confidence depends on strong political will and effective collaboration between government and the private sector.

“We cannot afford to miss this pivotal moment,” the Minister declared. “The 2026–2030 Development Plan will be a decisive instrument for ensuring that every part of Nigeria contributes to, and benefits from, national prosperity. This is the time to make deliberate choices that will deliver growth and opportunities for all.”