The Nasarawa State Government has approved the recruitment of 500 workers into its public service, alongside three investment initiatives designed to strengthen the state’s finances, improve infrastructure and create more economic opportunities.
The employment exercise will cover Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with priority consideration for casual workers who have spent several years working in the state civil service.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaac Danladi, announced the recruitment approval while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
According to Danladi, the decision followed an assessment of staffing requirements across government establishments to determine areas where additional personnel are needed.
He explained that the recruitment process would be conducted in line with established procedures, while long-serving casual employees would receive priority consideration in recognition of their years of service.
The initiative is expected to provide opportunities for eligible workers to secure permanent employment while helping government agencies address manpower shortages and improve service delivery.
Beyond the employment approval, the council endorsed three investment proposals covering the acquisition of shares in a major Nigerian conglomerate, the rehabilitation of a transport facility and a private-sector partnership to provide infrastructure for estate development.
The Commissioner for Finance, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi, disclosed details of the investment decisions, explaining that the initiatives were intended to improve the state’s revenue-generating capacity and expand its investment interests.
One of the approvals concerns the acquisition of one million ordinary shares in the Dangote Group following the conclusion of its Initial Public Offer (IPO).
Abdullahi said the investment would be financed through returns generated from investments held by the Nasarawa State Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA).
The arrangement will allow the state to deploy earnings from its existing investment portfolio towards another investment opportunity, rather than relying on additional funding from unrelated government revenue sources.
The council’s decision reflects the state’s intention to broaden its investment holdings and explore opportunities that could generate financial returns over time.
However, the extent of the benefits to the state’s finances will depend on the performance of the investment and the returns realised from the shares.
Another major decision approved by the council is a Rehabilitation, Operation and Transfer (ROT) arrangement for the Sani Abacha Bus Terminal in Karu.
Under the proposed arrangement, the transport facility will undergo rehabilitation before being operated under the agreed terms.
The terminal is projected to generate approximately ₦300 million annually for the Nasarawa State Government once the arrangement becomes operational.
The expected revenue could provide an additional source of income for the state while supporting efforts to improve the management and utilisation of public infrastructure.
The project also highlights the government’s interest in exploring partnership arrangements to restore existing facilities and improve their commercial value.
The council further approved a proposed land-for-infrastructure partnership involving an estate development project in Lafia, the state capital.
Under the proposed deal, a private investor will provide essential infrastructure, including roads, culverts and other supporting facilities, in exchange for participation in the estate development.
The state government is expected to retain a 60 per cent share of the estate development under the arrangement.
The proposed partnership is designed to reduce the immediate financial burden of providing infrastructure while ensuring that development proceeds through private-sector participation.
Roads, drainage-related structures and other basic facilities are essential to the development of functional residential estates. Their provision is also expected to support access, improve the usability of the property and potentially increase its commercial value.
Although further details about the implementation of the three investment initiatives were not provided in the announcement, the approvals indicate the administration’s intention to combine public investment, private-sector participation and employment opportunities in its development strategy.
The recruitment of 500 civil servants is expected to address identified staffing needs across government agencies, while the investment decisions are aimed at creating additional revenue streams and improving infrastructure delivery.
Together, the measures form part of the Nasarawa State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen its financial position, encourage investment and improve the capacity of public institutions.
The success of the initiatives will ultimately depend on transparent implementation, effective management of the investments and the timely delivery of the promised infrastructure.
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