Atiku Sounds Alarm: ‘No Nigerian State Can Survive Alone Without Federal Support!’”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on state governors to collaborate with private investors to stimulate economic growth across Nigeria

Atiku emphasized that no Nigerian state possesses the fiscal strength to achieve meaningful development on its own without engaging the private sector.

Speaking at the Taraba State International Investment Summit in Jalingo on Wednesday, Atiku praised Governor Agbu Kefas for positioning the state as an attractive destination for both local and international investors.

“Your commitment to fostering economic prosperity and improving citizens’ living standards is commendable,” he said. “Bringing together investors and development partners under one roof reflects your vision of building a prosperous, secure, and united Taraba—a model for growth, economic diversification, and sustainable development.”

He encouraged Governor Kefas to leverage private sector partnerships to fulfill his administration’s development agenda, adding that collaboration with private players would enable the state to unlock its full potential.

“If Taraba truly aims to realize its economic potential, it must tap into private sector resources—capital, expertise, and innovation,” Atiku noted.

“No Nigerian state has the financial autonomy to solely drive sustainable development. Strategic alliances between government, private investors, local enterprises, and communities are essential for bridging resource gaps and attracting investment,” he added.

Atiku, who was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also highlighted that such partnerships are vital in combating poverty and economic hardship affecting citizens in Taraba and across Nigeria.

“As an entrepreneur myself, I understand that both foreign and local investments are critical engines of economic progress,” he said. “They contribute significantly by providing funding, increasing revenue generation, and driving long-term development.”