January 13, 2026
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State has called on private sector leaders and development partners to invest in Nigeria’s Northwest region as a sustainable solution to the growing challenge of internal displacement.
Radda, who also chairs the Northwest Governors’ Forum, made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at the 2026 Conference on Market-Based Solutions for Internal Displacement held at the Lagos Continental Hotel in Lagos.
He said durable solutions to displacement must go beyond humanitarian aid and focus on restoring livelihoods, rebuilding local economies and attracting long-term investments to affected communities.
“The Northwest possesses strong competitive advantages—vast agricultural potential, a youthful and resilient population, strategic trade corridors, and growing opportunities in agro-processing, renewable energy, manufacturing and services,” he said.
Describing the Northwest as Nigeria’s agricultural heartland, the governor noted that the seven states of Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara are major producers of rice, maize, millet, sorghum, cowpea, groundnut and soybean.
He highlighted the region’s irrigation potential through the Sokoto-Rima Basin and major dams such as Bakolori, Goronyo, Tiga, Challawa, Jibia and Zobe, which support dry-season and year-round farming.
Radda also identified livestock production as a key economic driver, noting that the region accounts for a significant share of the country’s cattle, sheep, goats, poultry and camels.
“Investments in dairy development, meat processing, animal feed production, veterinary services and leather industries can generate jobs, boost incomes and expand internally generated revenue,” he said.
He urged fellow Northwest governors to actively participate in discussions on de-risking tools and priority sectors, stressing that the region’s leaders are united in efforts to revitalise agriculture and transition to a market-driven economy for inclusive growth.
At the opening ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), said Nigeria hosts one of the largest displaced populations in Africa.
He warned that excluding millions of displaced citizens from economic participation poses both moral and economic risks.
“Nigeria cannot afford to allow millions of capable citizens to remain economically excluded. Unlocking their potential is not only a moral imperative—it is an economic necessity and a strategic national priority,” he said.
He added that while humanitarian assistance has been critical in saving lives, sustainable peace requires access to livelihoods, skills and productive assets.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Fall, described displacement as a crisis that goes beyond physical movement.
“Displacement is not only about movement. It is about loss of home, broken routines, loss of dignity and sometimes loss of freedom,” he said, urging investors to see opportunities for shared value rather than charity.
The Head of Development Cooperation at the British High Commission also noted that investments in displacement-affected communities can yield tangible returns for businesses.
The two-day conference, themed “Securing Futures: Market-Based Solutions for Internal Displacement,” was convened by the Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations, the International Finance Corporation and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, the Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor, representatives of the governors of Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara states, as well as other key stakeholders.
