Nasarawa State has witnessed significant transformation since Governor Abdullahi Sule took office, and his innovative approach to governance is yielding remarkable results.
Only one year into his second term, Governor Sule has demonstrated uncommon leadership, influencing landmark projects and bringing unprecedented development to the state.
His experience in the private sector, where he rose to become the Group Managing Director of the Dangote conglomerate, has equipped Governor Sule with the skills to drive growth and development in Nasarawa State.
His leadership has attracted numerous investments, including the launch of a 4000 metric tons per day lithium processing factory by Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, a Chinese firm, the largest in Africa.
The factory, commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s mining sector and a testament to Governor Sule’s vision for industrialization.
The project has also created employment opportunities and is expected to generate substantial revenue for the state, amongst other benefits.
As a direct fallout of the coming onboard of the Avatar New Energy Materials Co Ltd factory, Mr Zhenhua Pei, Chairman of Canmax Technologies, a renowned Chinese firm responsible for over thirty percent of global battery material production, has also indicated interest to invest two hundred million dollars in building another lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State.
Governor Sule’s administration has also launched the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) component of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, disbursing $250,000 to 10 communities in the state.
This initiative aims to support community groups and farmers in implementing resilience initiatives and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
The Governor’s commitment to innovation and development has earned recognition from national and international organizations. President Tinubu and the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajiya Amina G. Mohammed, have commended Governor Sule for his vision and efforts in creating a thriving investment environment in Nasarawa State.
In fact, the 2024 Nasarawa State Investment Summit, themed “Industrial Renaissance,” has further showcased the state’s potential for industrialization and economic growth.
The summit has attracted investors and stakeholders, highlighting the state’s strategic location, rich agricultural base, and abundant solid minerals resources.
At the end of the two-day investment summit, deals on mining and agriculture projects worth over $200 million were signed.
These deals including a gold project between Box More, Earth Metal and the Nasarawa State Government in Uke, a deal for lithium and zinc development in collaboration with Box More with the participation of African Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF), rice and sugarcane production and processing in partnership with the Lee Group worth N200 million.
Similarly, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were entered into on the lithium and gas value chain, the Nasarawa Renewable Energy in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), as well as the development of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mainstream infrastructure with PowerGas, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN) and Nigeria Gas Marketing Limited (NGML).
Governor Sule’s administration has implemented policies and programs aimed at stimulating the economy, building human capacity, and generating employment opportunities. The Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS) serves as a guiding document for the state’s development initiatives.
In conclusion, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s innovative approach to governance has transformed Nasarawa State, attracting investments and driving development.
His leadership and vision for industrialization have positioned the state as an investment hub, and his administration’s commitment to sustainability and economic growth is expected to yield long-term benefits for the people of Nasarawa State.
Ali ABARE
SA Media, Office of the Governor of Nasarawa State
Tuesday, 28th May, 2024.
