Column

Unlocking Nigeria’s Future Through Local Potential; The Nasarawa Example

By Yahaya Abdulrahman 

Across the country, discussions about national development often revolve around what the Federal Government must do to lift Nigeria out of its long-standing economic stagnation. Yet, evidence increasingly shows that the most transformative progress will emerge when states begin to harness the natural and economic potentials within their borders. Nasarawa State stands today as one of the clearest examples of this possibility.

In Uke, Karu Local Government Area, the recent groundbreaking for the construction of the Hasetins Rare Earth and Critical Metal Plant by Governor Abdullahi A. Sule is reshaping the narrative. Set to become the largest facility of its kind in Africa, the project reflects the power of intentional governance—particularly when a state prioritizes value addition, industrialization, and investor confidence.

This development is not an isolated success. Nasarawa State has, in recent years, fully justified its position as the Home of Solid Minerals. Through strategic focus, relative peace, stable policies, and a distinctly investor-friendly environment, the State has begun converting natural resources into engines of growth and global relevance.

In the Kama-Otto and Endo communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area, the largest lithium processing plants in Nigeria are taking shape. In Udege-Mbeki, large-scale mining of tin and columbite has intensified, while a recent Memorandum of Understanding has cleared the way for the establishment of the country’s largest tantalum/tantalite processing plant.

More large-scale processing plants are also emerging in Amba and Agwada communities of Kokona Local Government Area, further expanding Nasarawa’s industrial footprint. These are in addition to numerous medium and small-scale mineral processing facilities spread across the state. Together, they form a coordinated drive to position Nasarawa as Nigeria’s premier hub for solid mineral processing and export.

These efforts are already paying off. They are boosting State and Federal revenues while placing Nigeria firmly on the global map of critical metal production. It is even more fulfilling to see lithium solar batteries—products tied to this mineral revolution—powering homes, offices, and businesses across the country. These innovations are quietly helping to ease the nation’s power shortages. This is the practical impact of value addition.

But Nasarawa’s story extends far beyond solid minerals. Agriculture remains a major economic pillar, and the State is making impressive strides. Nasarawa produces rice, cassava, melon, cashew nuts, sesame, maize, and groundnut on a large scale, in addition to significant livestock development. The increasing number of sesame warehouses, rice processing plants, and other agro-processing centres across the State is a powerful indicator of economic diversification. Unsurprisingly, foreign investors have already begun taking advantage of this growing agricultural ecosystem.

To strengthen this sector further, fertilizer production must be enhanced—particularly through the Keffi Fertilizer Blending Plant. A more robust and affordable fertilizer supply would boost yields, empower farmers, and enhance food security. With the right investments, agriculture can complement industrial efforts and ensure inclusive, broad-based growth across the State.

The lesson for the rest of the country is unmistakable: every Nigerian state possesses unique potentials that can transform its economy if deliberately harnessed. Whether through agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, marine resources, or solid minerals, states can dramatically reduce unemployment, close developmental gaps, and strengthen Nigeria’s global standing.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s future will not depend solely on decisions made in Abuja. It will depend on the strategic choices made in Lafia, Kano, Ibadan, Enugu, Gombe, Uyo, Maiduguri, and every other state capital. When states begin to take ownership of their economic destinies, the country will be one step closer to achieving broad-based prosperity.

The time for this shift is now. Nasarawa has shown what is possible. The rest of Nigeria must follow.