Bauchi Gov Seeks Saudi Investment In Agriculture, Mining, Oil & Gas

Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has urged Saudi Arabian investors to take advantage of the state’s vast investment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, solid minerals, oil and gas, tourism, aviation, and Hajj and Umrah services.

The governor made the appeal while receiving a delegation from Saudi Arabia-based Golden Group, led by its owner and chief executive director, Muhammad Faisal Al-Harbi, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Bauchi on Monday.

Mohammed said Bauchi had attracted investment commitments valued at over $5.7 billion through its aggressive investment drive, assuring prospective investors of the government’s commitment to providing a conducive business environment for both local and foreign investments.

He identified key investment opportunities in oil and gas development in Alkaleri local government area, commercial agriculture, solid minerals, housing, infrastructure and tourism.

The governor also outlined plans to transform the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport into a regional aviation hub through the installation of modern landing facilities, the establishment of an Export Processing Zone and an Inland Dry Port.

According to him, the state government is working towards securing direct air connectivity between Bauchi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to facilitate Hajj and Umrah operations, boost agricultural exports and strengthen international trade.

Governor Mohammed disclosed that Bauchi records between 3,000 and 4,000 Hajj pilgrims annually, expressing optimism that Golden Group would partner with the state to position Bauchi as a major gateway for Hajj and Umrah services across Northern and North-East Nigeria.

He further revealed that international partners had already committed to cultivating about 50,000 hectares of farmland in the state for export-oriented agricultural production.

Earlier, Al-Harbi, commended the Bauchi State government for the warm reception and expressed the company’s readiness to establish long-term investment and commercial partnerships with the state.

Al-Harbi said the company operates across diverse sectors, including Hajj and Umrah services, tourism, agriculture, mining, transportation, infrastructure development and housing, adding that Golden Group has maintained business relationships with Nigeria for more than 25 years.

The meeting ended with both parties expressing optimism that the engagement would lead to strategic partnerships, technical cooperation and the signing of investment agreements aimed at accelerating economic growth and strengthening bilateral ties between Bauchi State and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.