By Shu’aibu Usman Leman
Bauchi State has entered a new chapter in its development journey. The recently concluded Bauchi State Economic and Investment Summit has set the state on a firm course toward genuine economic transformation.
Under the visionary leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, the summit produced an extraordinary 47 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at over $5.2 billion in foreign investment and ₦100 billion in domestic commitments.
For a state that has long been overlooked in the national investment conversation, this achievement represents a decisive break from the past. Bauchi has now announced itself as an emerging powerhouse in Northern Nigeria’s economic revival.
What makes this summit remarkable is not merely the size of the figures, but the strategic clarity behind the deals. They reflect a deliberate effort to unlock the state’s dormant potential across energy, industry, agriculture, and human capital.
The centerpiece is the $2.7 billion Petrochemical City Complex to be built by China Fuhai Energy Group — a project that could redefine the industrial map of Northern Nigeria and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Equally transformative is the ₦263.6 billion investment by Resident Cement Factory Nig. Ltd. This will harness Bauchi’s abundant limestone deposits and position the state as a major supplier of cement and allied products.
Another notable commitment is the $1 billion African Athlete Academy — a forward-looking initiative that recognises youth development and sports as vital components of economic and social progress.
Governor Mohammed and his team deserve commendation for attracting such high-value partnerships. They have demonstrated that when leadership is purposeful, even states once dismissed as “too remote” can become magnets for international capital.
Yet, signing MoUs is only the beginning. The real test lies in translating commitments into construction, and construction into prosperity. Bauchi must now focus on implementation with discipline and transparency.
The establishment of a strong Monitoring and Evaluation Unit is essential. This body should track every agreement, ensure timelines are respected, and swiftly remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that typically derail projects.
Transparency will reinforce credibility. Publishing the full details of these deals will not only deepen public trust but also encourage further investor confidence in the state’s governance systems.
No investor thrives amid insecurity or poor infrastructure. Bauchi must therefore consolidate gains in peace, road connectivity, and power supply to sustain investor enthusiasm and operational stability.
To ensure growth that endures beyond political cycles, the administration should institutionalise its development drive. Creating Sectoral Boards for agriculture, solid minerals, and renewable energy would provide coordination, continuity, and professionalism.
Human capital is another cornerstone. The new industries will require a technically skilled workforce. Bauchi’s Petroleum Academy in Alkaleri, the Bauchi State University Gadau (Sa’adu Zungur University- SAZU) and the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic- ATAP, must therefore align their curricula with emerging industrial needs.
Equally, every investment must guarantee local participation and technology transfer. A deal that fails to empower the people risks becoming an illusion of progress rather than a reality of prosperity.
The attendance of delegations from China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey at the summit sends a powerful signal that Bauchi’s door is now open to the world, and the world is ready to step in.
However, sustaining that confidence will depend on governance integrity. Too often, Nigeria has seen grand summits end with fanfare but little follow-through. Bauchi must prove that this is a different story.
If properly executed, the summit could become a model for subnational economic renewal — an example of how vision, preparation, and persistence can unlock the North’s long-ignored potential.
Finally, one practical recommendation: the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre should be leased to a competent private manager. Public assets thrive under professional care, not bureaucratic neglect.
Governor Bala Mohammed has delivered a bold beginning. With consistency and accountability, Bauchi can turn this summit from a ceremonial success into a genuine story of transformation — one that inspires hope, creates jobs, and redefines the economic destiny of Northern Nigeria.
Usman Leman is a former National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.