Ladies and gentlemen, the cold brutal reality today is that while the world is taking a giant leap forward, our dear nation is stagnant and sliding backwards. To bring this into sharp relief, in the year 2025, new cold chains and infrastructure networks make it possible for tomatoes from a village in Rwanda to reach Dubai in just 48 hours. Yet in this same year, another farmer in Kano lost his crops before they left the village because of the absence of logistics, transportation, marketing and distribution infrastructure.
Are we as a nation and a region condemned to live in this reality? I do not think so. Let me start with a small teaser. I want you to envision something with me – a northern Nigeria where a farmer in Mambilla can send fresh milk to Singapore in 72 hours; where our miners in Jos export not raw ore but high value products stamped ‘ethically sourced in Nigeria,’ and our young people are building companies that compete on the world stage. This is not a fantasy, it is a choice. The reason we are here today is to talk about how we make that choice together.
First, there is nothing inherently wrong with us as a people. This is not about capability but connectivity: the infrastructure, technology and systems that link potential to prosperity. We know that it is possible to connect the dots. We have what it takes to unleash abundant prosperity. The question is: Do we have the will to connect them into something bigger? Technology is not just a tool; it is the currency of competitiveness. The regions that digitise value chains, integrate markets and mobilise capital will win in the next decade. We can be one of them if we act with urgency and precision.
The purpose of this conversation is simple but powerful. First, we will look at the opportunity in front of us – mining, agriculture and power and why they matter now more than ever before. Second, we present a strategic actionable vision for how technology can ignite industrial transformation, drive inclusive growth and solid sustainable infrastructure in our region. Third, we need to connect mining, agriculture and power into one unified development model that makes us a magnetic field for attracting global investment. Fourth, we will do all these things by deploying the required capital, skills and infrastructure.
If you remember nothing else, remember these five takeaways. First: Mining, agriculture, and power are not separate silos. They can and must be fused into value-creating ecosystems where each sector strengthens the others. Second, Technology is the multiplier. Digital tools, renewable energy systems, and data driven platforms can accelerate productivity, cut waste, and open new markets faster than we ever thought possible. Third, We have a blueprint to mobilise capital. Northern Nigeria can attract blended finance, climate funds and diaspora investment by packaging bankable ESG-aligned projects that meet both investor expectations and community needs. ESG, shorthand for environment, social, and governance, is a principle that emphasizes responsible and impactful investing. Fourth, Skills development is as critical as roads, power lines and industrial parks.
Without a skilled workforce, even the best-built infrastructure will underperform. Fifth: We must take bold action. The MAP 2025 tech compact will set measurable goals for digitisation, skills training, and renewable energy adoption, and hold us accountable for delivering them.
With that purpose and those outcomes in mind, let us reframe how we think about industrialisation in northern Nigeria because the old playbook will not win the new game.
Reframing the narrative: From factories to smart systems
If we want to seize this opportunity, we have to change how we think about industrialisation. For many people, industrialisation brings to mind big factories, heavy machines and long production lines. That was the old way of doing things. Today, the most successful economies are built differently. They run on digital infrastructure, connected supply chains and the ability to create and protect ideas and designs that have value. In this new world, information and innovation can be worth more than physical products.
Here’s the advantage for northern Nigeria: We do not have to follow the slow, expensive path of the past. We can move straight into a digital-first, innovation-driven economy. Therefore, adopting digital innovations, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and similar technologies will position the region for digital-first readiness.
Why technology matters become clear when we look at the bigger picture. In the First Industrial Revolution, steam power and mechanisation replaced manual labour, making it possible to convert raw materials into finished goods on a scale never seen before. The Second Industrial Revolution brought electricity, mass production and global trade networks, transforming economies and daily life. The Third Industrial Revolution, the digital revolution, introduced computers, automation and the internet, shrinking distances and speeding up communication. Today, we are in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where artificial intelligence, big data and advanced connectivity are merging the physical and digital worlds. In this era, technology is not just a support tool, it is the driver of competitiveness. It decides who leads and who follows.
For this region, this means we can leapfrog old models and go straight to modern, connected systems. Technology shortens timelines, reduces waste and opens new markets, turning months into weeks and weeks into days, while keeping more wealth here at home.
This means building smart industrial areas where fast internet, cloud services and digital payments are as basic as roads and electricity. It means using online government services so that business registration, licensing and customs clearance happen quickly and easily. It means adopting secure digital trade systems to speed up transactions, cut costs and build trust with buyers everywhere.
It also means focusing on high-value sectors like software, financial technology, and creative industries that bring strong returns without needing massive physical infrastructure. Public-private partnerships can share the risks and speed up delivery, while performance-based funding makes sure money is released only when results are achieved.
We do not have to imagine what this looks like; we can learn from others who have done it. In India, the Digital India programme built a national digital identity, fast payment systems, and open data platforms. The government provided the base and business-built services on top, from online shopping to health care, reaching even rural communities.
Our African peer, Rwanda, though small and without major natural resources, invested in technology parks, nationwide internet coverage and online government services. Combined with training programmes and supportive policies, it became a recognised technology, industrial and tourism hub in Africa. This demonstrates that political will, policy coherence and a clear digital-first strategy can elevate a country’s brand and competitiveness on the global stage.
For our region, going digital-first also means looking beyond mining, agriculture and power to integrate complementary sectors that will complete the ecosystem. The region must, therefore, invest in the following complementary enablers: Region-wide broadband and affordable devices so that everyone can connect; STEM education and skills training from school to vocational centres; health care technology to reach rural areas and improve planning; modern transport and logistics, which are linked to AfCFTA trade routes; creative industries, such as film, music and fashion based on our rich cultural history are globalized through online platforms; financial services innovation: mobile banking, micro-loans,and safe spaces for new ideas to grow.
If we can shift from the old factory mindset to smart connected systems, we will not just catch up, we will set the pace. And that brings us to why northern Nigeria’s position matters so much in the bigger picture.
Strategic importance of northern Nigeria: From regional strength to global leverage
If we are going to build a future that is competitive and resilient, we need to understand exactly why northern Nigeria matters, not just to us but Africa and the wider world.
First, we are not starting from ground zero – our strengths are real and powerful. We sit in a location that connects West Africa to the Sahel, Central Africa and North Africa. That makes us a natural trade bridge; a position that will only grow in value as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) expands.
Second, we have a young, energetic population: millions of people ready to learn, work and create if given the right tools. Our land is rich: fertile fields that can feed nations, and mineral deposits, lithium, gold and tin that the world needs for energy, technology and manufacturing. We have sunlight in abundance, rivers for hydropower and wind corridors, all of which can power industries to attract climate finance investment.
This piece is an abridged version of a keynote address delivered at the Northern Nigeria Investment Summit on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
Third, the opportunities ahead are enormous. We can position northern Nigeria as both a physical and digital gateway for trade across Africa. We can build cross-border e-commerce platforms, digital customs systems and secure payment networks that make it easier for our producers to sell anywhere on the continent. We can tap into green bonds, infrastructure funds, and diaspora investment by presenting bankable projects that meet global standards. We can diversify into information and communication technology (ICT), creative industries logistics, and fintech, creating a more balanced and future-proof economy. We can use data, not just minerals as a resource, applying analytics to improve farming, health and infrastructure planning. And our cultural ties to the Middle East give us a natural link to Gulf markets for trade, tourism and investment.
But we cannot do these things without facing our challenges squarely. Our infrastructure is patchy: roads, storage and processing facilities are not keeping pace with demand. Too many of our young people lack access to the training and skills that modern industries require. Multi-dimensional poverty is high, and low purchasing power limits the size of our domestic market. Flooding destroys farmland and disrupts communities. Poor governance, insecurity in some areas, and a lack of unity between states weaken our bargaining power and slow progress.
However, there are threats we must guard against: global price swings can hit our mining and agriculture revenues. Climate change can bring more floods, droughts and extreme weather. Other African trade hubs are competing hard for AfCFTA market share. And investor confidence depends on how well we tackle governance and transparency.
The truth is this: Northern Nigeria is more than a region rich in resources. It is a platform for Africa’s next industrial leap. If we use our strengths, close our gaps and act decisively, we can turn our position into lasting power. But the window of opportunity will not stay open forever.
And if we are serious about seizing that opportunity, we must first agree on the conditions that will make success possible. That is where we turn next.
Basic conditions for success: Building a competitive northern Nigeria
If northern Nigeria is going to compete, not just within Nigeria but across Africa and the world, we need more than resources and ambition. We need a shared vision, clear priorities and the discipline to work together as one region. Right now, too many of our efforts are fragmented. Each state has its own plans, its own timelines, its priorities. That approach has cost us bargaining power, slowed development and left opportunities on the table. The first condition for success is unity.
We must move beyond state-by-state strategies and adopt a coordinated regional blueprint; one that aligns our priorities in infrastructure, education, trade and investment. We need shared institutions, regional councils or commissions with representatives from all 19 northern states to coordinate policy, pool resources and track progress. And when we negotiate with the federal government, development partners or investors, we must speak with one voice to secure better terms and bigger projects.
We must learn from other regions how they have successfully developed a cohesive regional development strategy. For example, the South-West Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has demonstrated the value of a permanent, professional secretariat that drives long-term plans beyond political cycles. They have built a unified identity that attracts investment, tourism and talents. We can adapt these lessons to our own context.
Cross-regional partnerships can help us share infrastructure like rail lines, energy grids and trade corridors, cutting costs and expanding market access. Regular forums where policymakers, business leaders and academics share ideas will spread innovation faster.
Government and business must work hand in hand. Public-private partnerships can mobilise capital, share risk and speed up the delivery of infrastructure and services. Business-friendly policies, simpler regulations, fewer bottlenecks and targeted incentives will make it easier for investors to commit. Industry clusters, where related businesses operate side by side, will create economies of scale, strengthen supply chains and spark innovation.
We must invest in research and development (RandD), which drives innovation. Applied research hubs, in partnership with universities, polytechnics and research institutes can develop solutions tailored to our challenges, from climate-resilient crops to off-grid renewable energy systems. Regional innovation funds can support startups and small businesses with commercially viable ideas. And data-driven decision-making.
I am profoundly delighted that the Northern Elders Forum is now making a sharp pivot by integrating economic development into its philosophy, in addition to its traditional forte of politics and governance. This decision to take on a higher role, to serve as a true think tank for the North’s future is highly commendable. We have seen this before: Sir Ahmadu Bello once showed how visionary leadership could mobilise private resources to support public investment in strategic sectors through such institutions as New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) and Bank of the North. That same spirit of foresight and institution-building must be rekindled.
The Forum should not only generate bold ideas but also sit at the table with the federal and state governments to secure strategic investments and national-level support. If it shifts from commentary to leadership, it can become the region’s strongest voice, ensuring that northern Nigeria gets the infrastructure, skills and industries it needs to thrive.
It is worth noting that northern Nigeria cannot compete in the 21st century without mastering the power of data. Just as the NNDC once mobilised financial resources to unlock strategic investments, today we must mobilise information resources to unlock opportunity. We need robust data banks: live databases of entrepreneurs across the region and diaspora groups eager to invest back home.
These platforms will not only connect capital to ideas but also give us the intelligence to negotiate better with the federal government, development partners and private investors. Without data, we are invisible; with it, we become a region that knows its strengths, tracks its opportunities and speaks with authority at the national and continental table.
Finally, we need financial institutions that do not just operate in the North but are truly for the North. Banks and funds based here, close to our people and industries, can channel capital directly into farming, mining, power and small businesses. When the money is managed here, with our priorities in mind, finance stops being a barrier and starts becoming a driver of opportunities.
This piece is an abridged version of a keynote address delivered at the Northern Nigeria Investment Summit on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.