The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, delivered an optimistic message about the country’s economic future during a one-day state visit to Nasarawa on January 4, 2025, declaring that the nation’s economic challenges are nearing an end.
Speaking from the Government House in Lafia, Shettima, flanked by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, expressed confidence that Nigeria had crossed a critical threshold in its economic recovery journey. He highlighted ongoing federal reforms and anticipated agricultural success as pivotal in stabilizing the economy.
“We will continue to identify with you,” Shettima assured the gathering, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to supporting state-level development.
He continued, “The Federal Government under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to render whatever support is necessary to ensure that Nigeria moves out of the woods. And luckily, we have crossed the Rubicon. We are on the path to sustainable growth. The worst is over. The economy is picking up, and by the grace of God, we are going to record bumper harvests in the upcoming agricultural season.”
Shettima’s speech resonates with the Buhari administration’s commitment to economic reforms, but also marks a shift in focus under President Tinubu’s leadership. This optimistic outlook aligns with the federal government’s ongoing drive for agricultural self-sufficiency and industrial development.
Agricultural Promise and Regional Stability
During the visit, Shettima lavished praise on Governor Sule for his efforts in maintaining peace and fostering an environment conducive to agricultural and infrastructural development. He pointed to Nasarawa as a model of stability, which he believes is crucial to the country’s overall growth.
“There can never be development without peace, and there can never be peace without development. The people of Nasarawa State can never fully appreciate their leader until he is no longer in office,” Shettima remarked, reflecting on the inclusive leadership approach taken by Governor Sule.
Highlighting the state’s agricultural potential, Shettima noted that Nasarawa represents a microcosm of Nigeria’s ethnic and religious diversity, yet remains united in harmony due to effective governance. “Nasarawa is the agriculture powerhouse of the nation. Beyond being the home of solid minerals, Nasarawa is in a position to feed the entire nation,” he emphasized.
The Vice President’s statement echoes the federal government’s push for enhanced food security and self-reliance through agriculture, which is now seen as one of the pillars of Nigeria’s economic recovery. His message underlined the importance of peaceful governance as a catalyst for development.
Governor Sule’s Commitment to Growth
Governor Abdullahi Sule, in his remarks, reaffirmed Nasarawa’s dedication to enhancing agricultural production, focusing on creating opportunities at the grassroots level. He assured the Vice President that the state would continue to broaden its agricultural initiatives, involving local councils in the process.
“Mr. Vice President, by the next time you are here, you will not only see the rice cultivated by the state government, but you will also witness the rice produced by the local government areas,” Governor Sule pledged, reinforcing his commitment to expand the state’s food production capabilities.
This focus on local government participation in agriculture represents a strategic move to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and decentralize the economic benefits of agriculture. It also aligns with the federal government’s vision of creating a robust agricultural value chain that includes rural communities in economic growth.
Launching Key Infrastructure and Support for Victims
During his visit, Shettima also took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Nasarawa One-stop Investment Centre and Multidoor Court. This World Bank-backed initiative is designed to bolster the state’s investment drive, positioning Nasarawa as a key player in Nigeria’s broader economic transformation.
The Nasarawa One-stop Investment Centre is expected to streamline business operations and create a conducive environment for both local and foreign investors. The Multidoor Court, another part of the project, is aimed at resolving commercial disputes more efficiently, further enhancing Nasarawa’s attractiveness to investors.
As part of his commitment to supporting the people of Nasarawa, Shettima also distributed various forms of aid to those affected by recent floods in the state. These included tractors, paddy rice, and other agricultural inputs, all designed to aid the recovery of flood victims and support local farmers in the wake of natural disasters.
“Today, we present to the good people of Nasarawa State, agricultural inputs that will help mitigate the effects of the floods,” Shettima said during the presentation. The Vice President’s gesture was part of a broader initiative to ensure that farmers in Nasarawa continue their work despite the challenges posed by recent environmental disasters.
Additionally, Shettima presented certificates to graduates from the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational Training Centre in Lafia. The training centre, a government initiative aimed at boosting vocational skills, was another focal point of Shettima’s visit, as it supports the country’s broader employment and self-sufficiency goals.
Looking to the Future
Shettima’s state visit to Nasarawa was not just about issuing optimistic statements but also laying the groundwork for concrete developments that would have far-reaching implications for the state and the country as a whole. The Vice President’s remarks highlighted his belief in Nasarawa’s central role in Nigeria’s agricultural future, emphasizing that peace, leadership, and economic initiatives would drive the nation towards its recovery.
For the people of Nasarawa, Shettima’s visit symbolized the beginning of a new phase in Nigeria’s recovery from its economic struggles. With clear support from both the state and federal governments, the people are hopeful that the combination of peaceful governance, infrastructure development, and agricultural growth will lead to sustained prosperity for the region and the nation.
