Despite occasional security incidents, Nasarawa State remains overwhelmingly safe for agriculture, business, and investment according to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
After a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima, the governor highlighted measures his administration has taken to stabilise volatile areas previously impacted by banditry and kidnappings.
“We constructed a major road in the area and the federal government also constructed the major road that comes from Benue into Nasarawa State,” the governor said.
He added that these improved transportation routes have helped disrupt criminal elements.
Perhaps most importantly, Sule said a new “military super-camp” has been established, providing a solid security presence to deter threats like kidnappers and bandits who have now “all left” certain regions.
He said the enhanced security measures appear to be paying off, with Nasarawa emerging as an agricultural powerhouse and attractive investment destination.
Sule touted the state’s ranking as number one nationwide in sesame farming, number two in yam and cassava production, and number five in rice production.
“If people are not going to farms, we’ll not be achieving these kinds of numbers,” he stated.
The governor’s security assurances come as Nasarawa prepares to commission a major new 4,000 metric ton per day lithium processing factory on Friday.
Sule said the multi-year project backed by foreign investors may even be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu himself.
Sule acknowledged “from time to time you’ll find it here and there” referring to isolated incidents of insecurity, he insisted “as far as we are concerned, we’re not saying that there are no kidnappings in Nasarawa.”
The governor pointed to continuous oil drilling activities in the state as another sign of its overall security and business-friendly environment.
On the national minimum wage of N30,000, Sule said Nasarawa has been compliant since he took office in 2019, paying workers the full amount along with allowances like hazard pay for medical staff.
