Insecurity Threatens Investment Inflow, But Niger Remains Open For Business — Commissioner

The Niger State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Aminu Takuma, has identified insecurity as one of the major challenges affecting the inflow of international investments into the state; however, he assured that the government remains committed to making Niger a preferred investment destination.

Takuma stated this on Friday during an engagement with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment at his office in Minna.

He said insecurity in some parts of the state had created negative perceptions internationally, making Niger State a “red flag” for some prospective investors.

The Commissioner, however, said the state government was determined to overcome the challenge and sustain its drive to attract credible local and foreign investors.

“Insecurity is one of the bottlenecks affecting investment inflow into Niger State, but we are not leaving any stone unturned. Despite the challenges, we are still attracting investors, and we are achieving results,” he said.

Takuma also called for stronger synergy, adherence to due process and greater cooperation between the ministry and its agencies, warning that institutional rivalry and duplication of responsibilities could undermine the administration’s development agenda.

According to him, the ministry is responsible for policy formulation, while its agencies are expected to implement approved policies and programmes.

He urged the heads of agencies to operate within their mandates and work closely with the ministry to achieve the desired results.

“The ministry is the developer of policies, while the agencies are the implementers. Therefore, the agencies cannot operate effectively without the ministry. We must change the narrative and work together as one team,” Takuma said.

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He warned that agencies unwilling to align with the administration’s development agenda risked being left behind, stressing that the government’s investment drive required collective responsibility, discipline and effective institutional coordination.

The Commissioner also briefed the meeting on investment opportunities and partnerships secured during recent foreign investment missions led by Governor Umaru Bago and the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, to Russia and India.

He said the engagements had opened up investment opportunities in mining, education, renewable energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

Takuma disclosed that a Russian mining company had expressed interest in investing in Niger State, adding that the state government had invested millions of naira in mapping its mineral resources to generate reliable geological data for prospective investors.

He further revealed that a Mining University in Russia had offered scholarships to indigenes of Niger State to study mining-related courses, describing the initiative as a major step towards developing local expertise in the sector.

According to him, the investment engagements in India also yielded promising results, with an Indian consortium expressing interest in participating in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, SAPZ, project in the state.

He added that another Indian investor had indicated interest in the development of Greater Suleja, while a Solar Alliance company expressed readiness to establish a solar farm on about 200 hectares of land to generate electricity for surrounding communities.

Takuma also disclosed that India had expressed interest in establishing a digital education system in Niger State, with the programme expected to commence in four local government areas before being expanded across the state.

The Commissioner said the emerging investment opportunities demonstrated the enormous potential of Niger State despite its security challenges.

He urged all agencies under the ministry to close ranks and work collectively to translate the investment prospects into tangible economic benefits for the people.

Takuma maintained that the administration of Governor Umaru Bago would continue to pursue strategic partnerships capable of creating jobs, expanding the state’s economic base and accelerating the industrialisation of Niger State.