Nigeria Needs Local, International Investments — Obasanjo
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday said Nigeria needs local and international investments to progress. The former president stated this while commissioning the newly constructed Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi, describing it as a world-class facility capable of positioning the state as a major hub for investment and tourism in Nigeria. Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Obasanjo commended the Bauchi State Government under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed for the initiative, noting that the project was a testament to the state’s vision for growth and global relevance. “With what we have, we can show the world that we are part and parcel of it,” Obasanjo said. “What others have and pride themselves on is not more than what we have. Some people don’t even have half of what we have. This world-class centre can be developed and made one of the tourist attractions in Nigeria”, he added. The former president added that the newly commissioned facility would promote interaction, tourism, and business engagements, stressing that the state could leverage it to attract both local and international investors. “Not only are we commissioning this, but we are also starting with a conference to talk about investment. What do we need in Nigeria today? We need to mobilise investments from local and international sources,” Obasanjo said. “I will go anywhere with the governor to get investments for Bauchi State,” he said. A view of the newly commissioned Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi, Bauchi State. | Credit: Umar Sani. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Architectronix Nigeria Limited, Ruben Okoya, whose firm handled the project, described the facility as “a masterpiece conceived, initiated, and completed under the visionary leadership” of Governor Bala Mohammed. “This incredible facility sits on 10,000 square metres and can accommodate 3,000 people at once.” “Every square metre of granite used in this facility was sourced from Bauchi State. That shows the abundance of natural resources available here, ”Okoya explained. A view of the newly commissioned Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre in Bauchi, Bauchi State. | Credit: Umar Sani. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Architectronix Nigeria Limited, Ruben Okoya, whose firm handled the project, described the facility as “a masterpiece conceived, initiated, and completed under the visionary leadership” of Governor Bala Mohammed. “This incredible facility sits on 10,000 square metres and can accommodate 3,000 people at once.” “Every square metre of granite used in this facility was sourced from Bauchi State. That shows the abundance of natural resources available here, ”Okoya explained. According to him, the centre boasts five main halls that can host up to ten separate events simultaneously. He said the facility also features an outdoor event space with a capacity of 2,500 people, a mosque, solar power installations, standby generators, and full internet connectivity. Okoya appealed to the Federal Government to consider hosting future national events, including the Nigeria Oil and Gas Summit, in Bauchi State, given its status as an oil-producing region and its new infrastructural capacity. He said, “This project is 100 per cent locally executed.” “It was built by local engineers and contractors, showing that when leaders believe in local capacity, great things happen,” Okoya added. He further recalled that the project’s foundation was laid in March 2021 by Professor Zulum, then a guest of the Bauchi State Government, and expressed satisfaction that the vision had now become a reality. The commissioning ceremony attracted top government officials, traditional rulers, captains of industry, and international guests, all of whom hailed the project as a milestone achievement in Bauchi State’s drive toward modernisation and economic transformation. Bauchi State Government approved N6.5bn for the dualisation of a 7.5-kilometre township road in Misau Local Government Area. The dualisation of the Misau township road is part of Bauchi State’s broader push to upgrade road infrastructure, improve connectivity, and reduce traffic accidents on key routes. Misau, a major commercial hub and transit town along the Bauchi–Azare highway, has long faced traffic congestion and frequent road mishaps due to the narrowness of its main artery.