Shettima Highlights Tinubu’s Economic Reforms at Jigawa Investment Summit, Woos Investors
Shettima Highlights Tinubu's Economic Reforms at Jigawa Investment Summit, Woos Investors
Shettima Highlights Tinubu’s Economic Reforms at Jigawa Investment Summit, Woos Investors
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has outlined key reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to improve Nigeria’s business environment, saying the Federal Government has replaced bureaucratic bottlenecks with policies that encourage investment and economic growth.
Speaking on Wednesday while declaring open the Jigawa State Investment Summit 2026 in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, Shettima said initiatives under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), alongside structural and fiscal reforms, have made it easier for businesses to operate while empowering states to unlock their economic potential.
According to the Vice President, the Federal Government has simplified business registration and permit processes, reduced the cost and time required to start businesses, and strengthened transparency through the Business Facilitation Act.
He said the administration had also unified and liberalised the foreign exchange market, eliminated long-standing distortions that discouraged investors, and introduced measures to improve fiscal discipline.
Shettima acknowledged that the reforms required patience but noted that they were already yielding positive results, including greater transparency in the foreign exchange market, stronger external reserves and improved sovereign credit ratings from international rating agencies.
He said reforms such as the Electricity Act 2023 have opened the power sector to greater private sector participation by allowing states to license, generate and distribute electricity independently.
According to him, the Federal Government has also prioritised investments in infrastructure, agriculture, solid minerals, the digital economy and human capital development while strengthening support for vulnerable Nigerians.
The Vice President stressed that economic reforms at the federal level must translate into tangible benefits for states, noting that the National Economic Council and the Federal Executive Council continue to work with sub-national governments to improve fiscal transparency, agricultural productivity and access to development and climate financing.
Describing Jigawa as a state with enormous economic potential, Shettima commended Governor Umar Namadi for organising the investment summit and assured both local and foreign investors of the Federal Government’s support in eliminating bureaucratic obstacles.
Governor Namadi said the summit was designed to attract credible investments capable of driving sustainable economic growth and creating employment opportunities in the state.
He highlighted Jigawa’s agricultural potential, noting that the state has over 24,700 square kilometres of fertile land, more than 411,000 hectares of fadama suitable for year-round farming, abundant water resources, a favourable business environment and access to markets across northern Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
The governor said the state’s development agenda focuses on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, the digital economy, private sector development, revenue generation, security, healthcare, education and vocational skills.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, urged the state government to prioritise electricity generation, describing stable power supply as essential for attracting investors.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said Jigawa possesses enormous opportunities in livestock development, with an estimated population of 3.6 million cattle, 5.6 million sheep and 6.6 million goats, urging investors to explore the state’s livestock value chain.
Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the summit as timely and commended the Jigawa State Government’s commitment to people-centred development.
Chairman of the summit and Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, said Jigawa’s strategic location between Nigeria’s North-West and North-East, vast arable land and peaceful environment make it an attractive destination for investment.
Shettima Highlights Tinubu’s Economic Reforms at Jigawa Investment Summit, Woos Investors
