Tinubu Warns of Economic Risks Amid Population Surge, Urges Diversification at Taraba Investment Summit

JALINGO – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning about the dangers posed by inadequate economic planning in the face of Nigeria’s rapidly expanding population. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 2025 Taraba State International Investment Summit (TARAVEST), Tinubu emphasized the urgent need to restructure and diversify the national economy to secure a sustainable future for the country.

The summit, held in Jalingo, brought together political leaders, traditional rulers, and economic stakeholders who echoed a common call for revitalized domestic investment. Tinubu’s message, as delivered by Shettima, centered on the imperative of moving beyond outdated economic models and tapping into the vast but underutilized resources across Nigerian states, particularly in agriculture and mining.

“Our growing population is not just a demographic statistic—it is a national challenge that demands a swift and strategic response,” Shettima stated. “If we continue on the path of poor economic planning, we risk turning our population into a liability rather than the asset it could be.”

With Nigeria’s population projected to exceed 230 million by 2025, the pressure on infrastructure, food production, healthcare, and employment is escalating. Tinubu’s administration, through Shettima, stressed the necessity of transforming this pressure into potential by harnessing regional strengths like Taraba’s natural resources.

“Taraba is more than an agrarian state—it is a reservoir of untapped agricultural and mineral wealth,” Shettima said. “We must stop viewing agriculture through the narrow lens of subsistence farming. Modern agricultural techniques and mineral resource development can create wealth and stability for generations.”

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Unlocking Taraba’s Economic Potential

Commending Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas for organizing the summit and showing leadership in promoting investment, Shettima described Taraba as a model for what regional economic transformation could look like. He called on both local and foreign investors to see the state as a frontier of opportunity.

“The wealth in Taraba is too vast to be reduced to mere statistics,” he remarked. “From rice production to the mining of solid minerals, this state has the potential to contribute significantly to national GDP if supported by smart investments and sustainable policies.”

Shettima also emphasized peace and unity as vital prerequisites for economic development. “We cannot build a sustainable economy without first securing the peace of our land. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring a peaceful environment where investments can thrive,” he added.

Calls for Domestic Investment and Private Sector Leadership

The summit also featured powerful voices in the Nigerian business and political community. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Africa’s richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and business mogul Tony Elumelu all highlighted the importance of fostering homegrown investments.

Atiku praised initiatives like TARAVEST for bringing investment opportunities closer to the grassroots. Dangote called for improved infrastructure and business-friendly policies to attract more investors, while Elumelu emphasized entrepreneurship and youth engagement as critical to reversing Nigeria’s economic stagnation.

“We can no longer rely on oil alone,” Elumelu noted. “Taraba and other states must begin to see themselves as economic centers, not just administrative territories. This is how we build a future for our young people.”

 Taraba Open for Investment

In his address, Governor Agbu Kefas highlighted that TARAVEST is not merely an event but a launchpad for long-term economic transformation. He stated that the state was ready to offer incentives and infrastructure to encourage both local and foreign investors.

“We are serious about development,” Kefas declared. “This summit is a signal to the world that Taraba is open for business. Our focus is on capital and human development because we understand that prosperity must be inclusive.”

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fostering a transparent, secure, and investor-friendly environment that aligns with the Federal Government’s broader economic agenda.

As the summit concluded, stakeholders agreed that the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential lies in planning, policy, and partnership. The words of President Tinubu rang clear: Without bold economic reform and a shift from outdated models, Nigeria risks allowing its most valuable asset—its people—to become its greatest challenge.