The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has called on governments across all levels to prioritise the support of local investors, arguing that only a thriving domestic investment landscape can pave the way for meaningful foreign investment in Nigeria.
Dangote made this appeal during his address at the Taraba International Investment Summit (TARAVEST) 2025, which took place in Jalingo on Wednesday.
Speaking at the summit, which was held under the theme “Unlocking Taraba’s Economic Potentials”, Dangote stated that international investors are unlikely to invest in regions where local businesses are not flourishing. He maintained that the performance and confidence of indigenous investors serve as a benchmark for foreign entities evaluating the investment climate.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Dangote Group to continued investment within Nigeria, particularly in initiatives that generate employment for economically disadvantaged populations.
Citing the economic contributions of Dangote Cement PLC, he revealed that the government benefits directly from the company’s operations, noting that for every one naira earned by the cement business, 52 kobo is paid to the government in taxes.
Dangote described Taraba State as one of Nigeria’s most promising regions for agriculture, given its fertile land and appealing natural landscape. He acknowledged the state’s business-friendly regulatory environment and affirmed its readiness for large-scale investment.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his proactive efforts in bringing together both local and international investors to the summit, and pledged his own commitment to future investments in Taraba.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Abdurahman Abdurazak of Kwara State, described the summit as a timely intervention aimed at accelerating the state’s economic development.
Governor Abdurazak, represented at the summit by Niger State Governor Umar Bago, echoed Dangote’s sentiments, stating that Taraba ranks among the most agriculturally viable states in the country.
He urged residents to welcome agricultural investors while also assuring them that such developments would not result in the loss of their land.
The summit brought together key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, underlining the growing interest in Taraba as a strategic hub for agricultural and economic development.
