The Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University, Kano, has participated in the maiden edition of the North-East Youth Investment and Innovation Summit 2025, held at the International Conference Centre, Gombe State.
The two-day summit, themed “Unlocking Opportunities, Driving Innovation, and Empowering Youth for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria and Beyond,” brought together youths, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and development stakeholders from Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, and Borno States.
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The programme focused on promoting innovation, investment readiness, skills development, and youth-driven solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, with emphasis on sustainable growth and regional development.
The CDA was represented at the summit by its Deputy Director, Outreach and Partnership, Dr. Amina Lawan Mustapha, who presented a paper titled “Regional Integration for Dryland Agriculture: Unlocking Agro Value Chains and Water-Energy Assets in North-East Nigeria.”
In her presentation, Dr. Mustapha highlighted the strategic role of dryland agriculture and irrigation farming in enhancing food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihoods across the North-East.
She identified major challenges confronting the sector, including inadequate skilled manpower, limited access to modern agricultural inputs, poor power supply, and insufficient processing facilities.
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She stressed that strengthened regional integration, effective policy frameworks, and deliberate youth participation could unlock significant economic opportunities and improve resilience in dryland economies.
Dr. Mustapha called on governments, development partners, and private investors to adopt more strategic and coordinated investments in agriculture to boost productivity and ensure long-term food security.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and Sarkin Fulani of Gombe, urged youths in the North-East to translate ideas into productivity and innovation into measurable impact.
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He noted that the region’s development depends not only on policy declarations but on discipline, accountability, and enterprise among its young population.
Dr. Kwairanga commended the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Gombe State Government led by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for prioritising youth-focused initiatives and investment-driven development.
He emphasised the importance of inclusive capital markets, access to finance, and strong support ecosystems in enabling youths to build scalable enterprises.
On behalf of the Gombe State Government, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Alhaji Abdulwahab Sabo, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship through policy support, capacity building, access to finance, and strategic partnerships aimed at strengthening MSMEs and economic inclusion.
Other presentations at the summit highlighted practical investment opportunities.
Aliyu Abubakar, Founder and Managing Director of BESTOW Logistics and Viewpoint Nigeria Limited, showcased a prototype animal feed factory and encouraged youths to explore animal production as a viable agribusiness venture.
Abdulkadir Barambo also spoke on wholesale stock investment opportunities, essay-based income streams, and innovative school fees payment systems.
The summit concluded with an inspection tour of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, Dadin Kowa, where participants were exposed to one of Gombe State’s flagship industrialisation projects.
Dr. Kwairanga explained the vision and long-term economic significance of the industrial park, highlighting its potential for job creation, agro-processing, and private-sector-led growth.
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In his vote of thanks, the Convener of the summit, Muhammad Abdulrahman Lamuwa, thanked participants, partners, and stakeholders for the success of the maiden edition and announced Borno State as host of the 2026 edition.
The North-East Youth Investment and Innovation Summit 2025 ended with a strong call for action, emphasising the need to align policy, investment, and youth innovation to drive sustainable development across the region.