Kebbi Elders mobilise stakeholders for inclusive economic growth
Kebbi Elders mobilise stakeholders for inclusive economic growth
By Ibrahim Bello, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
As Nigerian states race to diversify their economies and promote inclusive growth, Kebbi is exploring new strategies to address the structural challenges slowing its development.
The state continues to battle low productivity, weak infrastructure, and limited value addition to its agricultural produce.
Accordingly, Kebbi lags behind states such as Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna, which have attracted substantial investments through industrial clusters and public-private partnerships.
Data from the 2024 BudgIT State of States Report show that Kebbi ranks among the lower-performing states in fiscal sustainability and internally generated revenue capacity.
To address these gaps, the Kebbi Economic Development Summit was convened recently at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Birnin-Kebbi.
The goal was to chart a clear path toward inclusive and sustainable transformation.
The annual event brought together academics, entrepreneurs, traditional rulers, policymakers, and technocrats.
All were united in their commitment to reposition the state’s economy for long-term growth.
Organised by the Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum, the summit aimed to deepen collaboration across critical sectors.
These sectors included agriculture, education, mining, youth empowerment, and women’s inclusion in economic planning.
In his opening remarks, Sen. Muhammadu Magoro, Chairman of the Kebbi Elders Consultative Forum, said the summit was a milestone in the state’s journey towards unity and prosperity.
He recalled that the forum, established shortly after the creation of Kebbi in 1991, was founded on the belief that the wisdom and experience of elders should guide development.
“Our role as elders is to serve as advisors, unifiers, facilitators, bridge-builders, and partners in progress for accelerated development,” Magoro said.
He explained that the theme, ‘Kebbi Ascends: Unlocking Opportunities for Inclusive Socio-Economic Development’, reflects a collective vision of peace, stability, and shared prosperity anchored on economic inclusion.
According to him, discussions at the summit were designed to generate actionable outcomes that would guide government policies and private sector interventions.
“This gathering reflects our enduring spirit of unity and partnership. Real progress requires selflessness, synergy, and tolerance,” he said, commending Gov. Nasir Idris for his cooperation and support in hosting the summit.
Meanwhile, Dr Salamatu Hussaini, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, urged the Kebbi government to prioritise youth and women empowerment as strategic tools to tackle unemployment and poverty.
She proposed two major interventions; a ‘second-chance’ education programme for youths who could not proceed to tertiary institutions and a state-wide skills acquisition scheme in hospitality, electrical works, and crafts.
“Such training will not only empower them but also broaden their horizons,” she said.
Citing the 2023 Human Development Index (HDI) by Radboud University, Netherlands, Hussaini noted that Kebbi ranked 37th among 37 states and territories surveyed, the lowest nationwide.
“This data is alarming and calls for urgent implementation of the solutions proposed in this summit.
“Empowering women and youths must be central to Kebbi’s development agenda,” she emphasised.
She also drew attention to the Nigeria for Women Project, where affinity groups in states such as Ogun, Niger, and Kebbi had mobilised over N1 billion in savings.
Thus, enabling thousands of women to expand farms, boost yields, and support their households.
“When women are given the tools, they lift not only themselves but entire communities,” she said.
In the agricultural sector, Prof. Abdullahi Magaji, an agricultural expert, stressed that Kebbi’s future depends on building a robust and efficient seed system to guarantee sustainable productivity.
He observed that transitioning from donor-driven initiatives to a self-sustaining, market-based seed system was vital for food security and rural prosperity.
According to him, Kebbi’s Sudano-Sahelian climate and fadama plains make it suitable for high-value date varieties such as Deglet Noor, Medjool, Khalas, and Barhee.
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He recommended modern tissue-culture propagation, farmer training, and public-private partnerships to transform date farming into a major export and employment source.
Similarly, Prof. Shehu Aliyu-Yaro of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, called for urgent diversification of the state’s economy through solid minerals development.
He observed that states like Nasarawa and Kogi are expanding their mining and industrial capacity, but Kebbi has yet to take similar steps.
“Although endowed with gold, limestone, gypsum, and gemstones, the state still relies heavily on agriculture and federal allocations.
“It is now both vital and strategic for the state to diversify its economic base.
“I urge the establishment of value-adding industries in ceramics, cement, metal refining, and coal-based energy,” Aliyu-Yaro said.
However, he cautioned that poor infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and weak regulation must first be addressed to create a conducive environment for mining-led growth.
“Kebbi stands at a turning point; it can replace its largely agrarian economy with a diversified, industrialised, and resilient one,” he added.
Education also featured prominently at the summit, with Prof. Abubakar Bagudo of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, calling it the foundation upon which all development rests.
He stressed that the state’s investment in education must be guided by a clear blueprint linking basic, post-basic, and tertiary systems to manpower needs.
“The state’s 1-6-3 structure of free, universal and compulsory education provides a strong platform for literacy and skills acquisition,” Bagudo said.
He recalled that since the creation of the Ministry for Higher Education in 2016, the state had expanded its tertiary institutions, including a federal university, a polytechnic, and six state-owned colleges.
He said the approach placed strong emphasis on science and technology disciplines.
“For Kebbi to attain sustainable development, science-based education and technical training must be given top priority,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, urged leaders to align governance with purpose and results.
“Every project we discuss, every reform we propose, must return to this central question: Will it make the lives of Kebbi citizens better and more secure?” he asked.
He emphasised that the state, like many others across Africa, must adapt to changing global realities including climate pressure, artificial intelligence, and market volatility.
“The measure of our success will not be in the speeches we make today, but in the prosperity, stability, and dignity our people experience tomorrow,” Muhammad-Bande said.
Beyond the deliberations, he called for transparent governance, collective will, and strategic partnerships to turn challenges into opportunities.
On his part, Gov. Nasir Idris reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to consolidating Kebbi’s position as Nigeria’s leading producer of rice and wheat.
He said the government would build on existing agricultural gains by promoting value addition, mechanisation, and market access to boost productivity and create jobs.
“We shall continue to empower our people and reposition Kebbi in key sectors of socio-economic development.
“My administration’s vision is to make the state a model of inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainable progress,” Idris said.
At the close of the summit, several participants told the News Agency of Nigeria that they were optimistic about the outcomes.
They expressed hope that the recommendations would go beyond paper and guide policies, investments, and people-centred programmes to uplift Kebbi’s social and economic fortunes. (NANFeatures)
