BY: Hassan Turaki.
Jigawa State has unveiled a new investment roadmap aimed at turning its agricultural and industrial potential into jobs and economic growth, as it opened the Second Jigawa State Economic and Investment Summit, INVESTJIGAWA 2026, on Wednesday.
Governor *Malam Umar Namadi* declared the summit open at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Dutse.
The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, alongside governors, ministers, diplomats, and investors.
With the theme “Unlocking Opportunities, Driving Sustainable Growth for a Greater Jigawa” Governor Namadi said the summit is a “working platform to move beyond aspiration to disciplined execution” and to convert the state’s resources into investor-ready projects.
He said Jigawa has over 24,700 square kilometres of arable land with 411,000 hectares of Fadama wetlands, and a peaceful business environment.
The state is already Nigeria’s leading producer of wheat, and the top exporter of sesame and hibiscus.
The governor disclosed that the 2026 budget of ₦902 billion allocates ₦693 billion, 76.9%*, to capital projects. Key sectors targeted for investment include agriculture, agro-processing, renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, solid minerals, and the Maigatari Border Free Zone and Gagarawa Industrial Park.
He cited the Dangote Rice Mill, which will process 350 tonnes of rice daily, and 20 other mills with 1,800 tonnes per day capacity, as evidence of investor confidence.
Since 2024, about 13,000 hectares of land have been allocated to investors through InvestJigawa and the FRILIA framework.On infrastructure, Namadi said the state has completed 340km of roads and awarded contracts for 1,000km more, while solar projects with REA and KEDCO will deliver 7MW to support industries.
Vice President Shettima commended the governor, noting that 40% of Nigeria’s wheat in the last season came from Jigawa. He said the federal government will continue to support states driving economic transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The summit recorded 64 actualised investments in agriculture, energy and manufacturing over the past three years, according to the state government.
