Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State says true development must go beyond statistics and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures to focus on improving citizens’ lives and building a sustainable future.

Mr Mohammed, represented by the secretary to the state government, Aminu Hammayo, in his keynote address, said this in Lagos on Thursday during the unveiling of the Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit, scheduled for Oct. 8 and Oct. 9.

He described the summit with the theme, “Rebuilding a Resilient Economy: Optimising Investment and Partnerships”, as a turning point in positioning the state as a leading investment destination.

“Growth is not an end in itself. Serving the human person and his overall well-being should constitute the be-all and end-all of our investment choices.

“Our vision is prosperity that is inclusive, sustainable, and felt in the daily lives of our people,” he said.

The governor said the summit would showcase economic opportunities of the state, promote private sector participation, and foster collaborations with both local and international investors.

Mr Mohammed stressed the importance of partnerships with Lagos, which he described as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s economy.

He expressed optimism that the summit would attract fresh capital inflows, create jobs, and transform the state into a centre of shared prosperity.

“This is not just about business; it is about creating jobs, reducing poverty, and giving our people a better quality of life,” he said.

Also, Mohammed Gamawa, commissioner for commerce, industry and investment, added that Bauchi was positioning itself as a hub for investment across livestock, agriculture, solid minerals, ICT, and renewable energy.

According to him, the foresight of the governor in creating the ministry of livestock development demonstrates a commitment to strengthening food security and boosting poultry, dairy, and aquaculture production beyond local consumption into exports.

“We are deliberately building capacity around the livestock value chain, not only for local needs but also for export development,” Mr Gamawa said.

He added that Bauchi had been selected as a proposed site for a Special Oil and Gas Free Economic Zone in Kolmani, following hydrocarbon exploration by the NNPC, a project expected to strengthen industrial linkages and open up new opportunities.

On solid minerals, Mr Gamawa said Bauchi was endowed with over 100 documented deposits, including limestone, kaolin, gold, zinc, and iron ore, while ongoing discoveries continue to expand the state’s mining potential.

He stressed that the government aimed to move beyond artisanal mining into large-scale industrial processing for global competitiveness.

He also highlighted Bauchi’s youthful and vibrant population, strong ICT policies, renewable energy prospects, and infrastructural projects in markets, housing, and security, which he said provided an enabling environment for investors.

Mr Gamawa assured that the state was offering not just public-private partnerships but “bankable PPPs” that would guarantee mutual benefits.

Aderemi Bolaji, a director in the ministry of foreign affairs, who also spoke at the event, commended the state government for its efforts to attract investment, describing Bauchi as an “investors’ destination”.

He urged the government to align its investment drive with the federal government’s ongoing economic reforms and encouraged prospective investors to ignore negative narratives often peddled by competitors.

(NAN)