Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Bauchi is one of the northeastern states in Nigeria that holds a treasure trove of natural resources. It is rich in minerals such as limestone, kaolin, lithium, monazite, gypsum, barite, and iron ore, which are increasingly needed in construction, technology, and renewable energy industries. These potentials remain largely untapped due to very limited investment in mining and processing. This presents a fantastic opportunity for both small-scale and large-scale operations to kickstart mineral extraction and processing, especially as supportive initiatives are on the horizon.
Additionally, the state has about 4.2 million hectares of fertile land, yet only 1.8 million are currently being farmed. This means that over 57 percent of the land suitable for agriculture is still awaiting utilization, opening up significant opportunities. It also has 181,000 hectares of Fadama land, which is particularly good for dry-season farming, and remains largely unused. With the right investments, Bauchi could transform into a major food producer, not only for its own population but also for export.
Bauchi’s projected population for 2025 is around 8.18 million, with more than 3.7 million people able and ready to work.
In this interview with Africa Press, the Director General of the Bauchi Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, Sani Tahir Hamid, speaks about the economic potentials of Bauchi State, including opportunities in solid minerals, tourism, and the agricultural sectors.
Hamid also discusses the Bauchi State Government’s preparations for hosting an investment and economic summit, which is scheduled to take place in October 2025, among other issues.
Your Chamber of Commerce is also one of the chambers seeking opportunities. What are you currently doing to showcase the potential of Bauchi State to foreign investors?
In 2024, the Council of the North East Chambers of Commerce, under its current leadership, initiated the revival of the North East Joint Trade Fair. Our governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, accepted the initiative, and we hosted the event.
The event brought together all the chambers of commerce from the six states in the zone: Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, and Gombe.
The main aim of the trade fair was to attract foreign direct investors to Bauchi, the sub-region, and Nigeria as a whole. And in 2025, the Bauchi State Government is making arrangements to organize an Investment and Economic Summit on the 8th and 9th of October 2025.
You talk about the Bauchi Economic and Investment Summit. As one of the key stakeholders, what are the economic potentials in Bauchi State that you can share with investors around the world to show that the state is ripe for investment?
In Bauchi, we have over 32 solid mineral deposits in commercial quantities. Our farmers also produce sesame seeds in large quantities, along with other agricultural products that are suitable for export.
What kind of investors are you expecting to attend the Economic Summit?
The event is aimed at hosting both Nigerian investors and foreign direct investors. In an effort to achieve this, the consultant responsible for organizing the summit conducted a roadshow in Abuja and held stakeholders’ meetings in Enugu in the South-East and Lagos—all as part of efforts to attract participants and investors from across the country, in addition to drawing the interest of international businesses.
Bauchi is known for tourism. At the private sector level, what are you doing to promote the sector, which seems to be neglected by the government?
The current governor of Bauchi State has made concerted efforts to upgrade the Yankari Game Reserve and Safari in such a way that both foreigners and Nigerians can visit for tourism purposes.
We also have Suma Park, a wildlife area with different species that can only be found there.
At the same time, we are trying to inform investors that there is great potential in the tourism sector and that they should consider investing in Bauchi State, which is well-known for its tourism assets.
Finally, what message do you have for domestic and foreign investors willing to come to Bauchi State?
What I assure foreign direct and local investors is that Bauchi is the most peaceful state in the North-East. There is also a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive and make profits.
There are abundant mineral resources and arable land for farming, and the state has a dedicated youth population ready to work—since manpower remains critical to any business or investment.
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