Taraba's first international investment summit, called Taravest 2025, took place on May 21, 2025, attracting a variety of prominent personalities around the world.
Leading the attention of distinguished Nigerians in the event were the vice president of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima; Several governors; former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; The richest magnate of man and business in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; and CEO of UBA, Mr. Tony Elumelu.
Other attendees included IFE's OONI, Obaeyeye enitan Ogunwusi (ọjájá II); Sultan of Sokoto, his eminence Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III; industry captains; Diplomatic Corps members; religious leaders; and local and international investors.
Declaging the Summit Open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, acknowledged the abundant natural resources in the state of Taraba and described the investment summit as a call to the association to take advantage of them.
He explained that Nigeria has a better opportunity to compete worldwide if their economic opportunities are completely explored. He added that his administration has launched several intervention and policies programs to boost agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
He also congratulated the governor of the state of Taraba for the positive initiative behind the summit, who said he would redefine the destiny of the State and its people.
Welcoming the participants before, the governor of the state of Taraba, Dr. Agbu Kafas, visibly excited about the summit, described it as a lighthouse of hope for the State.
He urged those willing to do business and invest in the state to act quickly, pointing out that there is peace and an environment conducive to business.
Speaking at the event, Dangote emphasized that, although direct foreign investment is important, “foreign investors will only come when local investors see. The government must encourage national investments first.”
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He assured that the Dangote group would be associated with the State to invest and positively impact the lives of its people.
Similarly, Elumelu, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and president of Transcorp Group, echoed the Dangote position.
“We are ready to invest in Taraba through Transcorp and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. UBA will also continue to expand its footprint and financial services in Africa,” he announced.
According to Elumelu, investing in agriculture is essential to address hunger and strengthening food security.
“Investment helps create jobs, reduce unemployment, improve security and empower people,” he said.
Also speaking, the governor of the state of Niger, Umar Bago, said that the rich agricultural resources of Nigeria are able to get their citizens out of economic difficulties.
He said that Nigeria, with his fertile lands, has a significant potential without exploiting.
Therefore, he asked the federal government and people from the private sector to take advantage of this agricultural potential to eradicate poverty, declaring that with agricultural capacity throughout the year, the country has no excuse for economic difficulties.
“All production factors are inherent here in the state of Taraba, as listed in the speech of Aliko Dangote. We have land, water, sun and people. People in Europe can barely grow for three months in a year, but we can grow 24/7, 365 days a year. It means that we do not have business in poverty.”
Bago, who represented the forum of governors of Nigeria and described himself as the “main farmer of Nigeria”, emphasized that all the factors necessary for agricultural production (land, water, solar light and labor) are abundantly present in the state of Taraba.
The former vice president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, described the summit as a key to bringing economic transformation.
He urged the Government to implement measures that address investment risks to encourage people to invest in the State.
The OONI also challenged the governor not to rest in his laurels.
“It is commendable that you have brought to the main players here. Now, focus on based on the strengths of Taraba. We need to see real investments in agriculture, tourism and other critical sectors,” he said.
The Sultan also praised Governor Agbu Kafas to maintain relative peace in Taraba in the last two years.
“Bringing the world to Taraba is not a small feat. Safety gains obtained under their administration must be protected to maintain investors' confidence,” said the Sultan.
Other speakers at the Summit included the initiatives of Minister of Special Development of Ghana, which represents the president of Ghana.
The president of the Planning Committee of the Investment Summit, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, expressed emotion for the caliber of the personalities that attended the summit.
Nigerian tribe