The Nasarawa State Government has intensified efforts to attract significant investments from Dangote Industries LimitedNasarawa Courts Dangote for Key Investments, one of Africa’s largest conglomerates, as part of a strategic plan to stimulate economic development and industrial growth in the state.
Governor Abdullahi Sule made the appeal through the state’s Commissioner for Trade, Industry, and Investment, Muhammed Otto, during the ongoing Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition, a key economic event hosted to showcase the state’s investment potential.
According to a statement issued by the commissioner, Sule called on the Dangote Group to deepen its presence in Nasarawa across multiple sectors, particularly in solid minerals, agriculture, and manufacturing, describing the state as a rich hub for natural resources and a gateway to Nigeria’s industrialisation.
“Nasarawa is home to some of the most abundant solid mineral deposits in Nigeria. We believe a deeper partnership with Dangote Group will not only create jobs but also advance the federal government’s industrial agenda,” the governor’s statement read.
Commissioner Otto, who represented the governor at the trade fair, lauded the Dangote Group’s performance at the Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited, a flagship investment in the state. He expressed optimism that the company’s success would encourage broader collaboration.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Manasseh, described the fair as “highly impactful,” noting that the initiative aligns with the state’s investment promotion strategy.
“The Nasarawa Trade Fair Exhibition is a vital catalyst for economic transformation. Dangote’s involvement boosts investor confidence and opens new opportunities for small-scale industrial growth,” Manasseh said.
He called on the Dangote Group to expand its investment scope to other untapped sectors such as renewable energy, agro-processing, and logistics, areas where Nasarawa holds strong comparative advantage.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, Khadija Nuhu, further stressed the state’s readiness to accommodate large-scale investment. She said Nasarawa is “strategically open for business” and encouraged the Dangote Group to explore new prospects within the state’s economic corridors.
In a response from Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer, acknowledged Nasarawa’s critical role in the group’s national operations.
“Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited, once completed, will be among the largest sugar projects on the African continent. The state’s strategic location and abundant resources make it a priority for our long-term investment strategy,” Chiejina stated.
Also speaking, Fatima Abdurrahman, the Senior Special Adviser to the President of the Dangote Group, noted that several of the conglomerate’s subsidiaries were actively participating in the fair. These include Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Dangote Peugeot Automobiles Nigeria Limited, Dangote SinoTruck, Dangote Salt, and Dangote Cement Plc.
The Nasarawa Trade Fair, which is backed by NASSI and supported by leading industrial partners like Dangote, aims to drive public-private partnerships, promote entrepreneurship, and highlight Nasarawa’s economic strengths in sectors like mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy.
As Governor Sule’s administration continues to roll out investment-friendly policies and incentives, the potential of a broader Dangote presence in the state signals a major step forward in Nasarawa’s bid to become an industrial hub in Northern Nigeria.