Speaking forcefully at the opening of the first International Business and Investment Summit in Bauchi State on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the spiritual head of Nigerian Muslims questioned the value of previous regional summits that have failed to yield visible economic transformation.
“We have attended economic summits in Kaduna, Kano, Taraba, Abuja, and many others over the past decade. We have heard lofty speeches, signed MoUs, and made grand declarations. But where are the results? How many factories have we revived? How many youths have found jobs? How many investors who came to our summits actually stayed?” the Sultan asked, according to a report from Daily Trust.
The paramount ruler asserted that the perennial challenges of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity in the North are exacerbated by a persistent lack of political will and poor implementation of agreements reached at such high-profile meetings. He stressed that a failure to move beyond planning and pronouncements risks leaders losing the confidence of the populace.
The Sultan urged governors to commission a comprehensive review of all past investment summits across Northern states, including Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, and Borno. The purpose of this evaluation, he stated, should be to pinpoint the exact weaknesses, such as policy inconsistency, poor follow-up, weak monitoring systems, inadequate infrastructure, and insecurity, which actively discourage investors.
"We must track the journey from promise to progress. Every MoU signed must have a visible footprint. Investors should not return home with handshakes alone. We must create an environment where investment thrives, with roads, electricity, and security in place,” the Sultan charged the political class.
The Bauchi International Business and Investment Summit 2025, which coincided with the commissioning of the new Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Center in the state, is themed "Rebuilding a Resilient Economy: Optimising Investment and Partnerships". The host, Governor Bala Mohammed, and his team outlined ten priority sectors for investment, including agriculture, solid minerals, and ICT, hoping to position the state as a hub for sustainable development.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who commissioned the new conference centre, echoed the focus on implementation, cautioning leaders not to overlook critical factors like good governance, people-centred policies, and robust security, all of which he described as essential for meaningful development. Vice President Kashim Shettima, also speaking at the event, assured foreign investors that Nigeria has "exited the phase of economic instability," urging stakeholders to prioritise concrete Memoranda of Understanding with set timelines for implementation.
Despite the high-level attendance and new investment promises, the Sultan's remarks served as a powerful reminder that the North's abundance of natural and human resources will remain untapped potential until its leaders demonstrate the necessary political will to translate conference resolutions into lived reality for their citizens.