Northern Nigeria: A Partner in Progress – NEF Unveils Investment and Industrialization Summit
By Ujunwa Eunice Nwankwo
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), in collaboration with the 19 Northern Nigerian states and the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), has officially announced the maiden Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit, describing the region as “a partner in progress – a region of promise, opportunity, and resilience.”
The announcement was made at an international press conference held in Abuja, attended by key NEF leaders including Amb. Al-Amin Al Daggash (rtd.), CFR, Chairman of NEF’s Management Board, Prof. Abubakar Jika Njeddire, NEF Spokesperson, Prof. D.D.D. Shebi, OON, Director General, Prof. Steve Ughah, Director of Economic Planning, and Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa, Director of Interfaith Relations, among others.
The summit, scheduled for September 29–30, 2025, has been 18 months in the making. Organizers say it marks not just another conference, but the launch of a patriotic economic agenda to reposition Northern Nigeria as a vital engine of national and continental growth.
“This summit is about highlighting the strengths of Northern Nigeria and presenting a vision of growth, innovation, and partnership,” said Prof. Njeddire. “It is an economic call to action, an appeal to conscience, and a strategic plan to unlock the promise of Northern Nigeria.”
Turning History into Momentum
Drawing inspiration from the region’s past, speakers recalled how Northern Nigeria once served as a key driver of Nigeria’s economy in the 1960s to 1980s—with flourishing agriculture, trade, and industrial output.
“Our groundnut pyramids reached the skies, our cotton and hides supported thriving industries, and our leaders championed bold infrastructure and development projects,” noted Amb. Daggash.
However, decades of underinvestment, insecurity, and neglect have dimmed that legacy—something NEF and its partners are determined to change.
The Five Pillars of Renewal
The summit’s strategic framework is built around five core pillars and three enablers:
- Land & Agriculture – Harnessing the North’s vast arable land to feed Africa.
- Solid Minerals – Tapping into 44 identified resources across 500+ locations.
- Human Capital – Leveraging a young, dynamic population.
- Infrastructure – Integrating transport, energy, and industrial systems.
- Industry – Scaling existing businesses into regional manufacturing hubs.
Supporting Enablers:
Education
Healthcare
Housing & Technology
A Land-Linked Gateway
Dispelling outdated narratives, the forum emphasized that the region is not landlocked, but land-linked—connecting Nigeria to strategic neighbors including Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, Mali, and the Central African Republic.
“With over 160 million people, Northern Nigeria is not a burden—it is an opportunity,” said Prof. Shebi.
A Broader National and Global Vision
The forum stressed that the summit is not just for Northern Nigeria, but for the entire country and Africa. It calls on investors, governments, development partners, and global stakeholders to see Northern Nigeria as a frontier for sustainable development.
“When Northern Nigeria rises, Nigeria rises. And when Nigeria rises, Africa rises,” Prof. Njeddire stated passionately.
A Torch for the Next Generation
In a powerful closing address, Prof. Njeddire underscored the generational responsibility at hand:
“We, as elders, carry the wisdom of memory and the responsibility of vision. But it is the youth—the generation under 60, and the children yet unborn—who will carry the dreams of tomorrow. Our duty is to light the torch. Theirs is to carry it forward. This summit is that torch.”
As the countdown begins to the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit, expectations are high. The message is clear: Northern Nigeria is ready to reclaim its place at the heart of national progress, offering promise, opportunity, and resilience—not just for itself, but for Nigeria and the continent at large.
