The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has said that the North Central region possesses the human and natural resources required to drive meaningful economic development, stressing the need for effective leadership, planning, and implementation.
Sule stated this while speaking at the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) Stakeholders’ Development Summit held in Abuja on Monday.
The governor expressed optimism over the establishment of the NCDC, describing it as an important step towards accelerating the development of the region and placing it on the same footing with other geopolitical zones that have development commissions.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving the creation of the Commission, as well as members of the National Assembly and other stakeholders who contributed to its establishment.
Sule also called on the Federal Government to ensure that development interventions being implemented through regional development commissions are extended to the North Central.
“I want to see that in the North Central because we have it all. We have it all, we have the people,” he said.
He argued that the region has the leadership and human capital necessary to provide direction for its development, noting that the North Central has produced prominent political leaders who have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s political development.
Beyond political leadership, the governor identified the region’s abundant mineral and agricultural resources as major advantages that could be harnessed to transform its economy.
Speaking from his experience in the private sector, Sule advocated for the processing of raw materials within the region where they are produced, rather than exporting them elsewhere for value addition.
He cited the cement industry as an example, noting that the establishment of cement production capacity helped to end Nigeria’s dependence on imported cement.
Sule stated that the same approach should be applied to the mining sector, particularly in the North Central, where substantial mineral deposits are available.
“When you are mining in North Central, you must also process in North Central,” he said.
He recalled that when he assumed office in Nasarawa State, more than 400 mining licences had already been issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, yet the state had no processing plant for the minerals.
According to him, the situation has changed, with Nasarawa now hosting two of the country’s largest lithium processing plants.
The governor further highlighted the region’s strength in agriculture, pointing to its production of rice and sesame, as well as the presence of major industrial ventures such as Benue Cement.
“Whatever it is that we are looking for, we have it,” Sule declared, stressing that the major requirement was not resources but people capable of effectively harnessing them.
He identified competent implementers, responsible leadership, and a commitment to public service as critical factors needed to translate the region’s potential into sustainable development.
“We need people who understand what it means to lead. We need people who understand what it means to serve and to serve the people.”
Sule also emphasised the importance of proper planning, saying the establishment of the NCDC should mark the beginning of a coordinated development strategy for the region.
He urged stakeholders to focus on policies and decisions capable of improving the economic fortunes of the North Central rather than engaging in political disagreements.
The governor added that the region can only achieve sustainable development when its leaders adopt realistic approaches, make difficult decisions where necessary, and ensure that policies are properly implemented.
He expressed confidence that the stakeholders’ summit would provide the foundation for a comprehensive development plan for the North Central and called for collective commitment to its implementation.
