- Nigeria cannot afford to exclude millions of citizens from economy—VP Shettima
Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the Northwest Governors’ Forum, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has called on private sector leaders and development partners to invest in the Northwest as a sustainable solution to internal displacement.
Governor Radda stated this on Thursday while delivering a speech at the 2026 Conference on Market-Based Solutions for Internal Displacement held at Lagos Continental Hotel, Lagos.
He emphasized that lasting solutions to displacement lie in restoring livelihoods, rebuilding local economies, and attracting sustainable investment to displacement-affected communities.
“The Northwest possesses strong competitive advantages—vast agricultural potential, a youthful and resilient population, strategic trade corridors, and growing opportunities in agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing, and services,” the Governor stated.
He described the Northwest as Nigeria’s agricultural heartland, noting that the seven states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara—are major producers of rice, maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut, and soybean.
The Governor stressed the region’s irrigation potential, pointing to major river systems and dams including the Sokoto-Rima Basin and facilities such as Bakolori, Goronyo, Tiga, Challawa, Jibia, and Zobe dams that enable dry-season and year-round farming.
He also identified livestock production as a major opportunity, noting that the Northwest accounts for a substantial proportion of Nigeria’s cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and camels.
“Investments in dairy development, meat processing, animal feed production, veterinary services, and leather industries can generate jobs, boost incomes, and expand internally generated revenue,” Radda stated.
He encouraged all Northwest Governors to actively participate in the conference’s panel session titled: “Investing in the Northwest: Competitive Advantages, Priority Sectors, and De-risking Tools.”
“Governors in the region are strongly united to rejuvenate the agricultural sector and revive the economy into a market-driven model for steady inclusive growth and development,” he added.
During the opening ceremony, yesterday, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said Nigeria hosts one of the largest displaced populations in Africa.
He warned that allowing millions of capable citizens to remain economically excluded was both morally wrong and economically damaging.
“Nigeria cannot afford to allow millions of capable citizens to remain economically excluded. Unlocking their potential is not only a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity and a strategic national priority,” General Musa stated.
He noted that while humanitarian assistance has saved lives, long-term stability cannot be built on relief alone.
“Sustainable peace requires livelihoods, skills, and assets,” he added.
The UN Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, described displacement as more than just physical movement.
“Displacement is not only about movement. It is about loss of home, broken routines, loss of dignity, and sometimes loss of freedom,” Fall stated.
He emphasized that humanitarian aid alone cannot solve the crisis.
“This is not about philanthropy or charity. It is about smart investment—investment in stability, in prosperity, in shared value,” he said, urging businesses to move from pilot to scale, from relief to resilience.
Also speaking, the Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission also stressed that investment in displacement-affected communities offers tangible returns to businesses.
The two-day conference, tagged “Securing Futures: Market-Based Solutions for Internal Displacement,” was convened by the Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations, the International Finance Corporation, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State,Chief of Staff Hon.Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir. representatives of Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara governors among other top stakeholders.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State
13th February, 2026
