Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has urged the 19 northern states to forge a binding compact and speak with one voice on insecurity and economic development.
He made the call on Monday at the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialisation Summit held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
The summit, convened by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) under the leadership of Prof. Ango Abdullahi, had as its theme “Unlocking Strategic Opportunities.”
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, Lawal commended the NEF for its consistent commitment to the region’s development. He noted that the focus on mining, agriculture and power reflected the core pillars of prosperity for northern Nigeria.
The governor described Zamfara as a state blessed with mineral wealth and vast arable land, yet one where citizens had not fully benefited from these resources.
According to him, the real challenge for leaders is not identifying solutions but transforming potential into tangible prosperity through investment and industrialisation.
Lawal stressed that security must underpin all economic efforts, adding that investors would not commit capital in an unsafe environment.
He called for the integration of security architecture, real-time intelligence sharing and stronger community policing.
The governor also highlighted reforms in Zamfara, including the formalisation of the mining sector, promotion of mechanised farming, agro-processing and improved access to credit.
