By Ben Adaji
President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has urged Nigerian governors to prioritize domestic investment over an excessive reliance on foreign inflows that often fail to materialize.
Speaking at the 2025 Taraba International Investment Summit (Taravest) in Jalingo on Wednesday, Dangote emphasized that foreign investors are more likely to commit when local investors lead the way.
“No foreign investor will invest where domestic investors are hesitant,” he said. “Once we harness our local resources and build strong domestic enterprises, foreign interest will naturally follow.”
Dangote pledged his readiness to invest in Taraba State and called on Nigerian entrepreneurs to tap into the state’s vast agricultural and solid mineral resources.
Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for hosting the summit and praised the improved security situation in the state. He urged residents to embrace peace and unity to foster development.
Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, representing the Northern Governors Forum, encouraged Taraba to deepen its focus on agriculture, mining, and tourism as key economic drivers.
In his address, Governor Kefas expressed his excitement about the summit’s turnout and assured investors of a safe and secure business environment in Taraba.
Dignitaries at the summit included Vice President Kashim Shettima; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Mr. Tony Elumelu; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State, and several other prominent Nigerians.