Governor unveils multi-billion-dollar investment drive, aviation expansion, and direct Bauchi–Saudi flights as Golden Group signals interest in strategic partnership.
By Umar Usman Duguri
The Analyst Online Media
BAUCHI — In a significant move to strengthen international economic cooperation and accelerate Bauchi State's industrial transformation, Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has invited Saudi Arabian investors to take advantage of the state's vast untapped investment opportunities, reaffirming his administration's commitment to building one of Nigeria's most competitive investment destinations.
The governor made the call while receiving a high-powered delegation from Saudi Arabia's Golden Group, led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Al-Harbi (الØربي), during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Bauchi.
«"Bauchi has secured investment commitments exceeding US$5.7 billion and remains committed to providing a business-friendly environment for investors across strategic sectors of the economy," Governor Bala Mohammed said.»
The governor disclosed that Bauchi has already attracted investment commitments valued at more than US$5.7 billion, attributing the growing confidence of investors to deliberate reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and creating a stable environment for domestic and foreign investments.
He identified agriculture, solid minerals, oil and gas, tourism, housing, infrastructure, and aviation as priority sectors with enormous commercial potential capable of driving economic diversification, employment, and sustainable growth.
Governor Mohammed particularly highlighted the oil and gas resources in Alkaleri Local Government Area, describing them as one of Bauchi's most valuable economic assets with the potential to stimulate industrial development and significantly boost internally generated revenue.
As part of his administration's long-term economic strategy, the governor also unveiled ongoing efforts to transform the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport into a regional aviation and logistics hub.
According to him, the project includes the development of modern landing facilities, an Export Processing Zone, and an Inland Dry Port designed to facilitate international trade, improve cargo movement, and strengthen Bauchi's connectivity to regional and global markets.
Governor Mohammed further revealed plans to establish direct flights between Bauchi and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a move expected to simplify Hajj and Umrah operations, promote agricultural exports, and deepen commercial relations between both regions.
He noted that Bauchi records between 3,000 and 4,000 pilgrims travelling annually to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and expressed confidence that collaboration with Golden Group would position the state as a major Hajj and Umrah service centre for Northern and North-Eastern Nigeria.
The governor also announced that international investors have committed to developing approximately 50,000 hectares of farmland in Bauchi for large-scale commercial agriculture targeted at export markets, describing agriculture as a cornerstone of the state's economic transformation agenda.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Group, Mr. Muhammad Faisal Al-Harbi, commended the Bauchi State Government for its hospitality and investor-friendly policies.
He explained that Golden Group has maintained business operations in Nigeria for more than 25 years, with investments spanning Hajj and Umrah services, tourism, agriculture, mining, transportation, housing, and infrastructure development.
Al-Harbi expressed the company's readiness to establish a long-term strategic partnership with Bauchi State, noting that the discussions reflected a shared commitment to unlocking mutually beneficial investment opportunities.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism that the engagement would translate into concrete investment agreements, enhanced technical cooperation, and sustainable partnerships capable of stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening economic relations between Bauchi State and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As Bauchi continues to pursue an ambitious investment agenda, the partnership discussions with Golden Group represent another step in the state's drive to attract global capital, diversify its economy, and position itself as a leading destination for foreign direct investment in Northern Nigeria.